President William Ruto's son, George Ruto, reignited debate over the weekend after he was spotted at a garage where a new matatu, reportedly part of his growing transport empire, was undergoing customisation.
Kenyans.co.ke has obtained an exclusive preview of the matatu that is set to be launched next week. Enthusiasts of Nairobi’s vibrant matatu culture are eagerly anticipating which route the vehicle will ply.
Branden Marshall, a matatu industry insider and enthusiast, popular with the Matatu Galore brand, revealed in an interview with Kenyans.co.ke that the matatu is likely to operate on the Embakasi and Rongai routes. This follows the rerouting of another matatu in George Ruto’s fleet, famously known as 'Manifest', from Rongai to Embakasi after past controversies over its road conduct.
"Kenyans and everybody else are eagerly waiting. Some drivers have already started showing up, hoping to land a position behind the wheel, lobbying for the new matatu to be stationed on either the Embakasi or Rongai route," said Marshall.
There are also reports suggesting that the matatu could be diverted from the usual PSV routes and instead be positioned within the private or corporate sector for hire. This would mark a notable shift from the traditional public service model.
According to insider sources, the matatu will be outfitted with a 65-inch TV screen, a live DJ mixing deck, solar panels, and high-end bucket seats imported from China.
It is set to become the first matatu in Kenya to feature bucket seats in a 25-seater capacity layout, which reduces the typical 32-seater configuration for added luxury and space.
The seating will follow a 2-by-1 arrangement, complete with a deejay booth on board to enhance passenger experience during commutes or events.
The matatu, named 'Doom', became a trending topic after George Ruto was photographed posing beside it, holding a customised number plate, stirring excitement online.
Industry experts estimate that the entire project costs between Ksh13 million and Ksh14 million. The chassis and body are said to have cost approximately Ksh6.8 million.
The lighting system reportedly cost around Ksh2.5 million, while the custom sound system added another Ksh300,000 to the overall budget.
With its unique features and high-end build, 'Doom' is expected to make waves in the Nairobi matatu scene - either as a premium route vehicle or a statement piece in Kenya’s creative and commercial transport industry.