NTSA Seeks Public Help to Trace Nairobi Matatu Seen in Viral Video
The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has asked members of the public to help identify a Nairobi matatu after a video showing large screens mounted at the front of the vehicle sparked safety concerns online.
The video, which was seen by Newshub.co.ke, shows a matatu fitted with two large television screens near the front section of the vehicle.
The screens appear to occupy a considerable part of the area around the driver’s windshield, raising concerns that they could interfere with the driver’s ability to see the road clearly.
In the video, the driver can be seen operating the vehicle in traffic while appearing to have limited visibility through the front windshield.
The footage has attracted attention from social media users, with many questioning whether such a modification is allowed on a public service vehicle.
Some users also questioned how the matatu managed to pass an NTSA inspection if the screens were installed in a position that could potentially obstruct the driver’s view.
The video was posted online alongside a caption questioning the safety of the vehicle and calling on relevant authorities to take action. NTSA responded to the post and requested information from the public that could help its officers locate the matatu and investigate the matter.
“Kindly share the registration number of this vehicle,” NTSA said in response to the video.
The authority’s request suggests that it wants to establish the identity of the vehicle before determining whether any traffic or public transport regulations may have been violated.
The incident has once again drawn attention to the different modifications commonly made to matatus in Kenya, particularly vehicles associated with the popular nganya culture.
Nganyas are well known for their highly customised designs, with operators spending significant amounts of money to give their vehicles a distinctive appearance. Some are fitted with elaborate interior decorations, colourful artwork, powerful sound systems, special lighting and entertainment screens.
While these modifications have become an important part of Kenya’s matatu culture and have attracted a large following, concerns have occasionally been raised over whether some of the alterations compromise passenger safety or interfere with the proper operation of the vehicles.
The latest controversy comes at a time when NTSA and matatu operators have been involved in a wider dispute over the regulation of graffiti, artwork, tinted windows and other decorative modifications on public service vehicles.
In April, the High Court gave NTSA the go-ahead to enforce its directive requiring public service vehicles to remove graffiti and other unauthorised artistic modifications.
The decision came after the court dismissed a petition challenging NTSA’s 2025 enforcement notice. The court ruled that the authority had acted within its legal mandate and noted that the measures were intended to improve road safety and protect other road users.
However, the issue later took a different turn after President William Ruto directed NTSA to suspend its planned crackdown on graffiti and other artistic designs on matatus.
The President allowed matatu operators to continue displaying artwork and graffiti on their vehicles, provided that the modifications meet safety standards and do not endanger passengers or other road users.
The viral video has therefore renewed the debate over where the line should be drawn between matatu customisation and road safety.
As NTSA seeks the registration details of the vehicle, it remains to be seen whether the authority will identify the matatu and take further action after assessing the modifications shown in the video.
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