George Ruto’s flashy matatu, known as Mood, has become one of the most talked-about public service vehicles on the Embakasi route, not only because it belongs to the President’s son but also because of the staggering amount of money it generates.
In a candid interview with Ghetto Radio on Saturday, July 26, 2025, Lenny, the driver of Mood, spoke openly about how he met George and the financial realities of running the KSh 14 million luxury matatu.
According to Lenny, his connection to George Ruto began years ago when he was working as a driver for another PSV famously known as Matrix.
George, whom Lenny says is fondly referred to as “GK” (short for George Kimutai), was a regular passenger who admired the vehicle and its operations.
One day, George casually asked whether Matrix was for sale.
When the opportunity came, he bought the vehicle from its original owner, keeping Lenny as its trusted driver without even conducting a formal interview.
This relationship eventually grew, leading to the creation of Mood, one of Nairobi’s most stylish and expensive matatus.
Lenny revealed that the matatu, though extremely costly to acquire and maintain, is far from a loss-making venture.
On normal days, the vehicle brings in around KSh 20,000 in profit from regular route operations.
However, when hired for long-distance trips to towns like Nakuru, Eldoret, or Mombasa, the returns can be staggering.
“There are times the matatu earns KSh 80,000 in a single day. When hired for private trips, I receive KSh 100,000. I give KSh 80,000 to the owner, and the rest is for the crew,” Lenny explained.
He added that on weekends, it is rare to find Mood in Nairobi because it is often booked for out-of-town events, a factor that boosts its profitability significantly.
These figures sparked fresh debates online about whether a KSh 14 million matatu can pay back its cost within a short time.
Some sceptics argue that even at KSh 20,000 daily profit, it would take about two years to break even.
But with regular long-distance hires, the timeline appears shorter.
Lenny also explained that George Ruto does not personally call to check on daily collections.
Instead, a manager oversees the financial records, showing that the operation runs as a structured business rather than a casual side hustle.
This rare insight into George Ruto’s matatu business has drawn widespread reactions from Kenyans online, with some praising the entrepreneurial spirit behind Mood and others lauding the culture of innovation within Nairobi’s competitive matatu sector.
Beyond the glamour and politics, the story of Mood is also a lesson in how loyalty, timing, and opportunity can open unexpected doors.
By Newsmedia