President Ruto’s son George unveils a new matatu named Mood, sparking fresh debate.
George Ruto, the son of President William Ruto, has once again caught Nairobi’s attention with his newest matatu dubbed Mood. The flashy matatu has been trending since its launch, gaining admiration from matatu lovers and raising eyebrows online.
The vehicle adds to George’s growing fleet, which includes MoneyFest and Matrix, both known for their bold designs and past road controversies.
The entry of Mood onto Nairobi roads has led to online chatter about police treatment of the president’s son’s vehicles. Many Kenyans claim such matatus are rarely stopped by traffic officers.
But the matatu’s driver, Lenny, strongly dismissed the claims in an interview with Ghetto Radio:
“Yes, police can stop us—why wouldn’t they? They even stopped me just the other day. The police are here to help us.”
— Lenny, Mood’s driver
He added:
“Those are just stories on the internet. We comply like everyone else. You must know how to coexist with them because they’re also doing their job.”
Lenny, however, declined to answer whether bribes are used to escape police checks.
George’s earlier matatus have not escaped NTSA’s radar. A viral video once showed youths dangerously hanging off MoneyFest in Rongai, which led to its impounding by NTSA.
In another case, MoneyFest was recorded overtaking recklessly in traffic while a traffic officer looked on without action—fueling claims of special treatment due to political connections.
Kenya’s matatu culture is loved for its colour, music, and artistic creativity. But as matatus like Mood rise in popularity, so do concerns about enforcement and road safety.
The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has previously stressed that all road users must obey traffic rules, regardless of who owns the vehicle.
To learn more about Nairobi’s unique matatu culture, you can explore BBC’s report on Nairobi Matatus.
