George Ruto’s famous purple matatu, Mood, is back in the garage, and it is barely recognisable from the flashy ride that turned heads across Nairobi just over a year ago.
Footage shared by matatu business investor Lexy Montana, who was doing rounds at a garage to check on her own vehicles, revealed the high-profile nganya in a heavily stripped-down state as mechanics worked on it.
Is Mood undergoing a revamp?
The front section of the matatu tells the story of a vehicle that has clearly been through it.
The bumper appeared worn and tired, parts of the splitter were coming loose, and the grille had been pulled off entirely to allow technicians access to the front end.
While the signature purple paintwork and graffiti artwork remained mostly intact, the lower sections of the exterior showed noticeable wear consistent with a busy route.
One of the drivers attached to George’s transport fleet, popularly known as Kinara, was also at the garage keeping tabs on how the work was progressing.
Why Mood is a popular matatu
Mood was officially unveiled on Friday, July 18, 2025, at a concert held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre.
The 25-seater luxury matatu, estimated to be worth KSh 14 million, caused a stir when it cruised through Nairobi’s CBD shortly after its launch, reportedly bringing traffic to a standstill as curious onlookers crowded around it.
The matatu sits under George’s 98 Sacco and plies the Embakasi route. It is fitted with premium bucket seats arranged in a 2-by-1 configuration, individual cup holders, charging ports, a DJ mixing deck on the dashboard, a powerful sound system, passenger air-conditioning and rooftop solar panels.
Its customised “MOOD” number plate alone reportedly cost around KSh 1 million.
This is not the matatu’s first garage stint.It returned for touch-ups shortly after its unveiling when excited crowds caused minor damage during the launch event. In September 2025, it was also involved in a minor accident in Eldoret when a 14-seater matatu struck it from behind, though no casualties were reported.
Mood is part of a wider fleet associated with George’s Raptor Family brand, which also includes matatus known as Money Fest, Matrix, Raptor, Baba Yaga and Ambush.
Netizens react
Online,Kenyans had plenty to say about the state of the once-celebrated vehicle:
@nih._yusufu:
“Hadi mechanic anashangaa aanze wapiii💔😅😅”
@steve_poppy092:
“😂😂😂ati first class”
@_g_sos_m:
“Ikuje ipige shughuli Rongai 😂😂😂😂”
@verified.family:
“Lenny anaghula gari😂”
@ghajni91:
“First class manyoya”
@elvis_6770:
“Utashtukia Kinara akikam na Mood😂😂😂”
@werekevo60:
“Siamini hii ni Ile Mood mmoja yenye ilikuwa most awaited jav😢😢😢”
