By James Murimi - Reporter
Kenya, April 30, 2026- A fresh storm is brewing in Kenya’s transport sector after the High Court handed the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) the green light to enforce a directive banning graffiti, tinted windows and other customised features on matatus.
The ruling has triggered alarm among operators and artists, who now warn of looming job losses and the possible collapse of a creative subculture that has long defined urban public transport.
Mombasa businessman and aspiring MCA Abdalla Mohdhar has written to President William Ruto seeking urgent intervention, saying the directive risks dismantling an ecosystem that supports thousands of young people.
“The matatu industry is not just about moving passengers. It is an economic and cultural engine that sustains artists, designers and youth across the country,” Mohdhar said in his appeal.
He warned that many operators have sunk significant capital into branding their vehicles, turning them into mobile works of art and key marketing tools, only to now face costly compliance demands.
The directive gained fresh momentum after Justice Bahati Mwamuye dismissed a petition challenging its legality, effectively paving the way for nationwide enforcement.
The petition, filed by Michael Makubo, argued that the NTSA order violated constitutional rights and failed to recognise the role of matatu culture in Kenya’s socio-economic landscape.
Makubo also cautioned that forcing operators to strip branding and modifications would impose heavy financial losses.
But the court ruled that the National Transport and Safety Authority acted within its mandate, noting that the directive is anchored on legitimate safety and regulatory concerns.
NTSA has defended the crackdown, insisting that graffiti and heavy tinting obstruct vehicle identification and complicate enforcement of transport regulations.
The authority told the court that standardization is critical in verifying Sacco membership, tracking vehicles, and ensuring compliance with public service vehicle licensing rules.
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Officials argue that the move will strengthen accountability and enhance road safety across the country.
However, players in the sector say the directive overlooks the economic reality on the ground.
Matatu branding has evolved into a thriving creative industry, employing graffiti artists, designers, electricians, sound technicians and fabricators—many of them youth in urban centres.
Operators now fear that strict enforcement will not only drive up costs but also wipe out livelihoods tied to the vibrant matatu culture.
Mohdhar has urged the President to mediate and ensure a balanced approach that safeguards both public safety and economic interests.
“We are not opposed to regulation. But it must be fair and considerate of the thousands who depend on this industry to survive,” the Majengo-Mwembe Tayari aspiring MCA noted.
With the court ruling in place, NTSA is expected to intensify inspections, order removal of non-compliant features, and impound vehicles that fail to meet standards.
The move sets up a high-stakes confrontation between regulators seeking order on the roads and an industry determined to defend one of Kenya’s most iconic cultural expressions.