We have seen them, we have heard their loud music and we have probably travelled in them.

Pimped matatu's have proliferated in Nakuru County over the past few years thanks to their fancy and stylish looks, all in a bid to attract passengers faster at the matatu stage.

But all the pomp and flare invested in the nganya's to ensure passenger "comfort" and entertainment has begun to rub some Nakuru locals the wrong way.

Mark*, a matatu tout who plies the Shabab route, reveals that many passengers are complaining about Nganya's.

Read: Inside the Nakuru Nganya culture

According to these people, the upgraded Nganya's no longer offer comfort to passengers.

Despite the fact that they have gone the extra mile by installing TV screens, wifi and a sound system.

According to Mark, what mostly irritates passengers boarding Nganya's is the uncomfortable sitting position they find themselves in, especially for those in the back.

"Mat za 46 is the best in town, with the best graffiti and music, but when you get to the back seats, you draw the line. The top of the mats zinafinya watu vichwa. This is a common complaint," says Mark.

Given that Nganya's are also inspected by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), Mark says one might wonder what the standards are for these vehicles.

Irene Karanja, a resident of Kiti, recounts some of her terrifying experiences of travelling in a nganya.

Read: The incredible journey of Nakuru's transport sector

For her, some of the Uchumi 44 Nganya's have a very low roof and high back seats that make travelling very uncomfortable.

"If you make the mistake of getting your braids in a bun, you will have a bad experience. You would leave the house well groomed only to arrive in town with your hair looking almost unkempt. I hope something can be done about that," says Mrs Karanja.

For Mark, his appeal is for relevant government bodies to intervene and standard work to be done on pimped out vehicles so that customers get the best customer experience when they travel with Nganya's.

Wanjirukinuthia20@gmail.com

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