- The 2025 Nganya Awards brought matatu enthusiasts to the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) on Saturday
- Beyond the impressive artwork and creativity on display, the awards placed strong emphasis on safer roads, with George Ruto’s matatus having it rough
- Crowds filled the venue and surrounding streets as different crews and vehicles competed across multiple categories
Search option is now available at TUKO! Feel free to search the content on topics/people you enjoy reading about in the top right corner 😉
The much-anticipated Nganya Awards 2025 took place on Saturday, November 29, at the KICC in Nairobi, celebrating the best crews and passenger service vehicles (PSVs).
Source: UGC
This year not only highlighted the creativity and energy of matatu culture through striking graffiti and innovative designs, but also promoted important themes like road safety, quality customer service, and the future of Kenya’s transport sector.
By late evening, the stage was set for the showdown, with hundreds of fans thronging the venue.
Who are the Nganya Awards 2025 winners?
The streets around City Hall Way were bustling with activity as PSVs made their way to and from KICC.
Search option is now available at TUKO! Feel free to search the content on topics/people you enjoy reading about in the top right corner 😉
Ultimately, it was time to crown the winners in different categories.
The key considerations reflected the definition of a nganya: the vehicle design, sound system, and crew.
The Long-Distance Bus of the Year award went to the ENA coach, while the best conductor was Katana.
Riko of the Year, which is given to the best matatu that has undergone renovations, went to Detroit, which plies the Ongata Rongai route.
One of the most competitive categories was the Best Sound, which saw PSVs such as George Ruto’s much-hyped Mood face off with Opposite, Baba Yaga, Moxie, and Phenomenal.
Ultimately, Phenomenal, also known as the first Kenyan matatu with a Starlink receiver, took the crown.
Source: UGC
Baba Yaga’s crew were crowned Crew of the Year, while Komarock’s Stung 2 won the Best Maintained category.
The most competitive category was Kenya One, which goes to the best matatu in the city.
Embakasi had the most entrants in the category, with Heartless, Dice, Brawl Out, George’s Mood, Matrix, and Money Fest.
Given the hype surrounding his matatu ownership and the arrival of Mood earlier in the year, George was seen as a front-runner for the title.
The others included three-time winner Opposite of Umoja, Ongata Rongai’s Moxie, Baba Yaga, and Delirium.
Opposite, which boasts a cult-like following, retained the title for the third year in a row, making it one of the longest reigning champions.
Source: Instagram
Which award did George Ruto’s driver win?
The only redemption for George was his Money Fest driver, Ostoh Ranking, winning the Driver of the Year category.
Speaking to TUKO.co.ke, Rashid Adam, a matatu curator, noted that Opposite’s win reflects Kenyans’ deep love for the vehicle.
“When the driver, Evanso, left, many said that Opposite was done. However, winning the title without the adored driver shows that Kenyans legitimately love the PSV. I can only compare it to the infamous Catalyst, which operated along the Ongata Rongai route.
For Money Fest, it is only ranked because of Ostoh. Mood, on the other hand, lacks a certain allure that can’t be bought.”
Source: Instagram
What happened to Mood Matatu in Mombasa?
In other news, a recent video from Mombasa showed the Mood matatu stuck at the ferry crossing, unable to clear the ramp due to its overhang.
The driver attempted to manoeuvre from an angle, but it failed.
Onlookers filmed the scene, joking that the matatu, owned by the First Son, could easily be fixed by George without issue.
Proofreading by Asher Omondi, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
