Leave Nganyas alone: They define Kenyan culture and creativity

Matatus define not just the Kenyan transport system, but the culture too. By reading what’s written or painted (graffiti) on matatus, I easily keep track of the happenings in Kenya’s subcultures.

 I’m always surprised by how current this subculture is, mostly on global issues. Seen Strait of Hormuz on matatus?

The matatus keep on improving in colour, shape and amenities. From radios and music, they now have TV, movies and wi-fi.  Such pimped matatus are the Nganyas.

There was an earlier version of the Manyanga. Nganya is the third generation of Matatus.  It could be fourth if you consider the old Fords that once plied the Eastlands route.

Since chasing the original Kenya Bus Service out of the city, matatus and their subset, the Nganyas, have dominated Kenya’s public transport sector.

Note that not all matatus are Nganyas, but all Nganyas are matatus!  Remember set theory in maths? Or am I awakening ghosts?

It was surprising to hear that the government is trying to ban graffiti that defines Nganya culture. Someone dreams that all matatus should be of one colour, like school buses.

Am not for that uniformity; we should not make matatus look like zebras or donkeys. Why?

One, where shall we take all the creativity of painters and graffiti writers? That is a whole industry and should be nurtured. We should export this painting to other countries and make money, like Nigerian or Hollywood movies, cartoons and documentaries.

Two, Nganyas define the Kenyan culture and are some of the most memorable sites in Kenya; I guess more than the Big 5. Talk to the tourists.

We should be thinking of the Nganya carnival! Think of a convoy of Nganyas driving through Uhuru Park as the crowd claps, cheers and votes for the coolest Nganya?

Counties can replicate that. We can have a national Nganya day. We can’t target 10 million tourists a year with the same products! Skeptical of the Nganya day? Don’t we have Concourd’elagance for old cars annually?

Three, since we don’t make cars, why not be proud of what we have - Nganyas? What is more Kenyan than that? The US has its movies, the French have wine, the Japanese have cars and Egypt her pyramids.

Kenya has Nganyas, the flowering of national creativity on wheels.

Four, Saccos should brand their matatus with their own colours and graffiti. And then think like Kenyan banks, cross borders.

Why can’t these Saccos ride on the African free trade area and offer services in other African countries? We can even export value-added matatus, Nganyas.

Lastly, worrying over graffiti and the colour of matatus is a side show. We should go beyond matatu body building and painting to making cars.

Surely, 60 years after uhuru is a long enough wait to make cars. Artificial intelligence (AI) will not end manufacturing, making something tangible. Let us not get carried away.

Own a Nganya? What sets it apart from others?