George Ruto’s high-end matatu, Mood, is getting a notable interior overhaul after more than a year on Nairobi’s roads, with the vehicle’s signature bucket seats set to be replaced by conventional two-seater passenger seats.
Exclusive photos from the garage where the nganya is currently undergoing renovation show the new seats being fabricated and fitted, marking a clear departure from the VIP-style experience the matatu was originally famous for.
Will Mood ditch it signature bucket seats?
When Mood was unveiled in July 2025 at an estimated cost of KSh 14 million, it turned heads with its premium interior.
The matatu came fitted with sports bucket seats, a live DJ deck, a 65-inch TV screen, a powerful Deaf Bonce sound system and rooftop solar panels.
To accommodate the luxurious layout, the vehicle initially carried roughly 25 to 26 passengers, well below the standard 32-seater capacity common on Nairobi routes.
After operating on routes including Embakasi and Rongai, the matatu was pulled off the road for what insiders are describing as a major makeover.
The new seats will retain Mood’s distinctive logos and colour scheme, keeping the brand’s visual identity intact even as the interior shifts towards a more practical setup.
The vehicle is expected to return as a 33-seater, bringing it in line with other matatus operating in the same fleet.
A matatu insider with knowledge of the renovation shared the garage photos and explained what the changes are designed to achieve.
“The vehicle will be back soon and now more passengers can enjoy it with the new seats. It will be like brand new,” the insider said.
The move signals a shift in priorities for the Mood team, with capacity and accessibility appearing to take precedence over the exclusivity that defined the matatu at launch.
While the original concept catered to a smaller group of passengers willing to pay for a premium ride, the upgraded version looks set to accommodate a wider ridership without fully abandoning the brand’s distinctive identity.
