Forget the loud music, matatu graffiti is not going away any soon. Provisions of Sec 55 of the Traffic Act cap 403 Laws of Kenya require the matatus to have horizontal yellow bands for identification. The hype and trend in Kenya’s capital are one the different scale altogether. Ever since the head of state pulled off the ban on matatu graffiti, competitive and impressive artwork has escalated on the streets. No love is lost between commuters and the sodalicious, eye-catching and candy artwork on Nairobi matatus.
From ageless legends like BIG and Shakur, to Jurassic World, Titanic, Avator, Empire and Fast & Furious and other awarding winning movies, to NYPD, NBA, Andy1, to 2Chainz,Weezy, Nikki, the Game and Snoop Lion, to Mortal Combat, Candy Crush and other world games to sports legends and moving bible verse. Matatu graffiti is entirely new urban pop culture. Almost everything Hollywood throws at the world is artistically designed on the four wheeled monsters.
Mapepe 2015 edition
While I respect many Saccos that maintain decency by shunning away from advanced graffiti, I hail the creativity, talent and sophistication of art on Eastlands automobiles: Citytram, River of God (ROG), PinPoint, C-Bet and the undisputed Kings of Jogoo Rd, Ummoiner among others. Eastern bypass, the superhighway and Ngong Road also pride in colorful artistic masterpieces that breathe life in the commuter service. Enter big designer names like Nyash, Donnaz, Kevs Auto, Moha and Nozzy and others whose refined work amaze many.
Even in NTSA sustained efforts to reduce graffiti, it is still a competitive ground with good promises for talented artists. Born in Greece, cultivated in US, automobile graffiti is a global urban trend with Kenya as leader in the east of the continent. It’s both occupation to thousands young artists and art to promote peace, subdue violence and create brands. With 10,000 plus matatus plying the streets of Nairobi, immense competition is sweetening the graffiti industry even to those plying long distance outward from the city.
Kenyan Graffiti on matatu
Nevertheless, westernization has taken the industry by a storm with graffiti related to Hollywood, urban American hip-hop culture, US states as well as western games, sport and celebrities. There is need for both Africanization and Kenyanization of art on our roads. With hopes, we keep expecting more of Kemboi, Jaguar, Sauti Sol, Rudisha, Kamwana, King Kaka, Octo, Mbussi, Sidika, Rao, Bahati, Duale and Julius Yego!
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