Gone are the days when travelling by public service vehicle was a tedious, boring affair where most passengers could be seen dozing in their seats on their way home from a hard day's work.

Matatu's have now come of age to ensure that their passengers are subjected to comfort and entertainment.

As a result, it is now common to see pimped matatus, popularly known as nganya, plying various routes in Nakuru.

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The Nganya culture, which used to be prevalent in Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu, is now spreading its roots in Nakuru.

Langa Line (Route 46) and Uchumi 44 are the leading routes with the best pimped rides.

The flashier the better to attract more people. Mtaa Wangu took to the streets of Nakuru to check out some of the best rides in town. Our first stop was Langa Line.

What caught our eye were the fancy and stylish Dynasty and Militia Nganya's. The artwork on the body of the vehicle is nothing short of exquisite.

Inside, multiple screens are fitted to ensure that every passenger, whether in the front or the back, can comfortably see what is being displayed on the screens.

Inside Konfusion matatu. It is fitted with big screens ,charging sockets , wifi, powerful sound system and colorful LED lights.

Photo credit: Purity Kinuthia/Mtaa Wangu

Nganya's are also fitted with LED lighting and powerful sound systems. The owners usually spend hundreds of thousands of shillings to pimp out their vehicles, simply so that they can attract passengers faster.

According to James Adago, who is in charge of the Langa line, pimped Matatua are called Mboko.

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"The Nganya culture is something we uphold at 46. Our matatus attract youths because of the good music, comfortable seats and watch time they get while travelling in our vehicles," Mr Adago said.

Non-pimped matatus are called 'Chura' and attract a different set of customers who are not into blaring music.

Apart from the Langa line, Uchumi 44, which plies the White House to All Nation route, is another set of matatus that are also customised.

A pimped matatu in Nakuru.

Photo credit: Purity Kinuthia/Mtaa Wangu

Jennifer Meso, who lives in Bismarck, says she likes using 44 vehicles because she enjoys the music on the way home and because they fill up quickly at the terminus.

"Forty Four vans get their customers fast. I would even say that we scramble to get into this vehicle. They are fast and aesthetically pleasing. We can use the free wifi and charge our phones in the vehicle on the way home," Ms Meso said.

Kush Darling, the driver of one of the popular nganyas known as Konfusion, says the number of non-customised matatus is dwindling by the day.

"Any customised vehicle attracts customers faster. Not only in the case of urban services but also when it comes to hiring cars for private transport, say something like a road trip or photo shoots, it would cost up to Sh700,000 to get a new look for your matatu but this is an investment matatu owners are willing to take to grow their business," Kush said.

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Notably, Pinky, Konfusinon, Militia, Dynasty, Encanto and The Game are some of the dopest nganyas in Nakuru town.

Wanjirukinuthia20@gmail.com

From a class eight dropout to a celebrity master of customised cars

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