President William Ruto’s son, George Ruto, has taken his much-hyped matatu, Mood, back to the garage after parts of it were reportedly damaged during its official unveiling at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) over the weekend.
The matatu, which drew massive attention for its flashy design and state-of-the-art features, including solar panels, is said to have suffered damage from overenthusiastic attendees during the launch event.
Confirmation of the situation came via a social media post on one of the accounts associated with Mood, which on Monday shared a teaser video showing the vehicle at a garage undergoing repairs.
“Mood is currently out for touch-ups. We will be back shortly,” read the caption accompanying the video, sparking curiosity from fans and followers who questioned why the matatu was already in need of repairs.
One user asked, “What happened? Why is it already back in the garage?” to which the account responded by attributing the damage to the chaos and excitement that marked the event.
The handlers noted that the Mood was not the only matatu affected. “Most of the matatus were destroyed to an extent, and they are equally undergoing touch-ups. It stemmed from the excitement… what if you could see the solar panels?” read the response.
Among the most talked-about damages were those to the solar panels installed on Mood, which were heavily featured in promotional materials before the launch.
Bucket Seats
Other much-talked-about features on the matatu include a 65-inch TV screen, a live DJ mixing deck, solar panels, and high-end bucket seats imported from China.
It is 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 follows a 2-by-1 arrangement, complete with a deejay booth on board to enhance passenger experience during commutes or events.
Meanwhile, hundreds of young people showed up at the KICC to support the President's son and celebrate matatu culture. Upon completion of the concert, the CBD was brought to a standstill as the matatu took a brief drive through the city centre.
Hundreds of youths accompanied the matatu, causing traffic snarl-ups in the vicinity that lasted for hours into the night.
The disruption sparked tension among Nairobians making their way home, with some reports warning residents to be wary of goons.
