NAIROBI — Artisans and designers in Nairobi, Kenya, are customizing matatus, which are minibuses used for public transportation, into culturally expressive vehicles known as manyangas. These customized matatus reflect an evolution in urban transit culture.

Jafed Muema, a lighting technician, works on customized minibuses in a warehouse located on the outskirts of Nairobi. Another designer sprays paint onto a new manyanga named Spade in a similar warehouse. Mechanic Cyrus Mwakio welds and rebuilds seats for manyangas. "Everything is rebuilt from start to finish," Mwakio said.

Matatus first appeared in Nairobi in the 1950s. At that time, they were known as "pirate taxis" because the British-owned Kenya Bus Service held a monopoly over passenger transport in the city. Matatus were illegal competitors to the Kenya Bus Service in the 1950s but were legalized in 1973.

Today, industry estimates indicate that approximately 200,000 matatus operate throughout Kenya, with up to 25,000 circulating daily in Nairobi. Brian Wanyama, who founded Matwana Matatu Culture in 2010, commented on their role. "Today, every matatu has its own identity; it became part of the culture," Wanyama said.

Matwana Matatu Culture is a Kenyan organization that unites painters, designers, DJs, and mechanics. Sound designer Rawlings Abongo Odiawo began his career two decades ago by installing 32-inch television screens in matatus. He is now asked to install 60- and 65-inch screens for passengers. Passenger Reth Maiyo described her preference. "If there's no loud music, no lights, no giant screens, and the graffiti isn't fresh, I wait however long it takes until one comes that matches the vibe, even if it delays me," Maiyo said.