George Ruto, the son of President William Ruto, has found himself at the center of growing public concern over traffic safety, following repeated violations by his well-known matatus, especially one named “Money Fest.”
These vehicles are very popular in Nairobi, known for their unique graffiti and flashy designs. But despite their fame, they’ve been causing problems on the road.
“Money Fest” has been seen in several videos breaking traffic laws in ways that put lives at risk.
People have shared clips of the matatu speeding with passengers sitting dangerously on the roof, others hanging from the doors, and even overlapping other vehicles on busy roads.
One of the worst moments was on January 9, 2025, when “Money Fest” was filmed on Magadi Road with passengers on top, moving at high speed.
This was not just risky but also illegal. Another video showed “Ambush,” another matatu linked to the same group, dangerously veering off the tarmac to overtake, causing a panic on the road.
These dangerous acts, especially along routes like Nairobi to Rongai and Karen, have caused public anger. Many Kenyans have used social media to question why NTSA and the police have not done more to stop this.
Some say it’s because George Ruto is the president’s son, and they worry that the matatus are being allowed to ignore the rules.
Eventually, NTSA acted. Both “Money Fest” and “Ambush” were impounded on January 9. The drivers, Dominic Amaya and John Mwangi, were arrested and fined KSh 50,000 each or given the option of six months in jail.
They both pleaded guilty. But even with this action, some people still believe there is favoritism. Reports have mentioned that traffic officers have avoided stopping these matatus in the past, even when they clearly broke rules.
This raises bigger questions about how traffic laws are enforced in Kenya. Many matatus often overload passengers, skip designated stops, or drive carelessly.
But when a matatu is owned by someone powerful, it becomes harder to hold them accountable. George Ruto’s matatus are now a symbol of this problem. Some Kenyans feel that if these flashy vehicles are allowed to operate above the law, then the safety of ordinary passengers and drivers is at risk.
The NTSA must be seen to act fairly, no matter who owns the matatu. Road safety should never depend on someone’s status. Every matatu should follow the rules.
Public transport is supposed to be safe, not a dangerous thrill ride. The law must be applied equally, whether a vehicle is owned by a regular person or the president’s son.
