At any one point in our hustle and bustle, we have hopped on a matatu. It is the major form of transport around here and employs thousands of youngsters. You will easily note the graffiti, heavy sound system, screens playing music videos and the crew handling the trip is young, hip and suave. Welcome to the Matatu culture in Nairobi.
The culture is so colorful that celebrities are being treated to a “matatu ride” as we saw recently with Trey Songz. The president endorsed the culture when he overruled a proposed law to kill the graffiti. This cements the notion matatus are here to stay and they will impact our lives directly or indirectly.
Trey Songz-in-a-mat
The industry has major components working as a conveyor belt to make it whole. Think about the manufacturing companies that give the “Mat” a stand out structure different from other vehicles. Graffiti artist have their paint and sketches on the body or the inside. Sound technicians give the deserved bass capacity which booms all day. You cannot forget about the lighting, DJs, Saccos, chrome and tyres components. It’s a bunch of key ingredients that makes the culture stand out.
Pimped-out-mat
To capture all this, Ma3 award is a platform set up to show the fans appreciation of the matatu culture. The following are the nominations and you can vote for your favorite Nganya or crew via the shortcode 21797 and use the KEYWORD as your pick.
| MA3 OF THE YEAR | |
| Name | Keywords |
| G-Unit–Githurai 45 | MT1 |
| Chevy – Kayole | MT2 |
| Hotnigga–Ngong | MT3 |
| Rock Academy – BuruBuru | MT4 |
| Catalyst – Rongai | MT5 |
| MA3 CREW OF THE YEAR | |
| Name | Keywords |
| Team G Unit – Ngure – Githurai | CW1 |
| Team Bond -Johny – Rongai | CW2 |
| Team Mustang –Bosi – Kasarani | CW3 |
| Team Telabang –Kevo–Kayole | CW4 |
| Team Rock Academy – BuruBuru | CW5 |
| MOST DISCIPLINED SACCO | |
| Name | Keywords |
| Ongataline – ronga | DS1 |
| R.O.G Sacco – Outering | DS2 |
| Super Metro – Kikuyu | DS3 |
| Luminous Sacco – Ngong | DS4 |
| Unified – Githurai 45 | DS5 |
| MOST PLAYED STREET DJ IN MA3 | |
| Name | Keywords |
| Demakufu | PD1 |
| Kalonje | PD2 |
| DJ Phil | PD3 |
| DJ Bash | PD4 |
| Stone | PD5 |
| MA3 ART DESIGNER OF THE YEAR | |
| Name | Keywords |
| Nozy Customs | GR1 |
| Lithium Art Kenya | GR2 |
| Mbuguz Customs | GR3 |
| Stylyn Concepts | GR4 |
| Kevz Auto | GR5 |
| BEST FABRICATED MA3 | |
| Name | Keywords |
| G Unit – Cfg – Githurai 45 | FD1 |
| Phantom – Choda -Rongai | FD2 |
| Madmax – KCI- Rongai | FD3 |
| Nesta – Dodi- Umoja | FD4 |
| Chevy – Santech – Kayole | FD5 |
| BEST 14 SEATER MA3 | |
| Name | Keywords |
| Thuglove – Coast | ST1 |
| Blacksupremacy– Githurai 44 | ST2 |
| Mfalme – South C | ST3 |
| Ngamia 2 – South C | ST4 |
| BEST BUS COMPANY | |
| Name | Keywords |
| Modern Coast | BC1 |
| Guardian Angel | BC3 |
| Buscar | BC4 |
| Climax | BC5 |
| MA3 AUDIO OF THE YEAR | |
| Name | Keywords |
| Lee Audio | AD1 |
| Source Entertainment | AD2 |
| Kichimbi | AD3 |
| Sound works | AD4 |
| Banita Sounds | AD5 |
| SCHOOL BUS OF THE YEAR | |
| Name | Keywords |
| Nyangwa Boys High School | HS1 |
| Mchakos School | HS2 |
| Moi Siongori Girls | HS3 |
| Kathiani Boys | HS4 |
| Mang’u High School | HS5 |
| MOST LISTENED To RADIO SHOW IN MA3s | |
| Name | Keywords |
| Teke teke – Radio Jambo | LR1 |
| Goteana – Ghetto Radio | LR2 |
| Bangaiza – Milele Fm | LR3 |
| Maina and Kingagi – Classic Fm | LR4 |
| Mambo Mseto – Radio Citizen | LR5 |
