Kenya’s transport sector saw its celebrated culture shine at the Nganya Awards 2025. The official event, which champions matatu art and ingenuity, took place in Nairobi.
Enthusiasts and crews gathered at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) on Saturday, November 29, 2025.
The evening served to promote vital themes. These included quality customer service and road safety. Crowds filled the streets and the venue.
Matatu culture, known for its creative designs and striking graffiti, was on full display. Judges based their decisions on vehicle design, sound systems, and the crew.
The Highly Anticipated Competition
The event’s main focus was the battle for the prestigious Kenya One title. This award celebrates the best matatu in the entire city.
The competition was fierce. It featured three-time reigning champion ‘Opposite’ from Umoja.
READ TOO: Nganya Genesis: How Kenya's Public Transport Evolved into a Vibrant Lifestyle
The competitor attracting the most attention was ‘Mood’. ‘Mood’ is owned by George Ruto. Given the hype surrounding George Ruto's matatu ownership, ‘Mood’ was largely viewed as a potential winner.
Embakasi, the route ‘Mood’ runs on, contributed the most entrants to the Kenya One category.
‘Opposite’ Outshines the Hype
Despite the heavy anticipation surrounding the new challenger, ‘Opposite’ retained the crown. The Umoja-based matatu secured the Kenya One title for the third year in succession.
This makes ‘Opposite’ one of the longest reigning champions in the competition’s history.
Celebrating the Night’s Winners
George Ruto did achieve some success in the individual awards. Ostoh Ranking, the driver for George’s ‘Money Fest’, secured the Driver of the Year award.
The Sound Beast award for the Best Sound system went to ‘Phenomenal’. ‘Phenomenal’ is also notable as the first Kenyan matatu equipped with a Starlink receiver. It managed to defeat both ‘Opposite’ and ‘Mood’ in this category.
ALSO READ: Inside the 'Mood' Matatu: Crew Reveals Life, Fame, & Day's Earnings
Other recognised champions included ‘Detroit’, which won Riko of the Year, atitle awarded to the matatu with the best renovations. This vehicle operates on the Ongata Rongai route.
The title for Best Maintained matatu went to ‘Stung 2.0’, which hails from Komarock. Finally, the Crew of the Year title was claimed by the Baba Yaga Crew. The award for Best Conductor was presented to Katana.
Katana, in his speech, dedicated the award to the late 'Opposite' conductor, Mavela, famed as Canadian Boy due to his association with the ‘Opposite’ nganya with Canadian flag theme.
Key Nganya Awards 2025 Results:
• Kenya One: Opposite
• Driver of the Year: Ostoh (Moneyfest)
• Riko of the Year: Detroit
• Best Conductor: Katana
• Crew of the Year: Baba Yaga Crew
• Sound Beast: Phenomenal
• Best Maintained: Stung 2.0
Top of Form
Bottom of Form
Comments 0
Sign in to join the conversation
Sign In Create AccountNo comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!