Streamer Tonka was surprised after spotting one of George Ruto’s customised 98-branded matatus while travelling through Rongai, turning an ordinary ride into a conversation about the business behind Nairobi’s popular nganya culture.
Tonka made the observation on Sunday, September 20, 2026, while riding in a cab. During an interaction with the driver, the streamer noticed the distinctive matatu and began asking questions about its ownership, appearance and route.
He appeared particularly impressed by how new the vehicle looked and wondered whether it belonged to George Ruto, the son of President William Ruto.
“Wow, which nganya is this which is called 98? It looks so new. You mean it belongs to George Ruto, and it plies the Rongai route?” Tonka asked during his livestream.
The sighting then led to a broader discussion about George’s involvement in the matatu business.
Tonka wondered how many vehicles were operating under the 98 brand and asked whether the fleet could contain about 30 matatus.
“You mean he has around 30 nganyas?” the streamer asked.
The conversation also touched on the potential money involved in operating a large matatu fleet. Based on the size of the alleged fleet, Tonka remarked that George would be a millionaire.
“Then that means he is a millionaire,” Tonka said.
However, the streamer did not stop at George’s wealth. He shifted the discussion towards the profitability of the transport industry, questioning whether owning nganyas remains a lucrative investment.
“I wonder whether nganyas are very profitable,” he said.
Tonka also asked the cab driver to compare the matatu business with ride-hailing, posing a question that many potential investors in the transport sector could relate to.
“Would you advise someone to invest in the matatu industry or invest in the Uber business?” he asked.
The encounter came shortly after George’s 98 brand unveiled another fleet of customised matatus.
On Friday, September 18, 2026, footage shared on the Official 98 Sacco Instagram account showed several newly modified vehicles being formally commissioned before joining Nairobi’s roads.
George attended the ceremony alongside drivers, conductors and other members of the team. The crew gathered around the newly completed vehicles, which featured the elaborate designs and entertainment equipment associated with the 98 brand.
The commissioning also included a religious ceremony. A pastor prayed over the vehicles and the people who would operate them before sprinkling holy water over the fleet.
After the ceremony, the matatus left the garage in a convoy. Their music systems were switched on while customised lights illuminated the vehicles as they headed onto the road.
The 98 brand has previously been associated with several highly customised nganyas, including vehicles known as Raptor, Money Fest, Matrix, Mood and Baba Yaga.
The sighting in Rongai therefore gave Tonka an opportunity to look beyond the striking appearance of the matatu and question the business model supporting the growing fleet.
His comments also highlighted the wider interest surrounding Nairobi’s nganya industry, where customised vehicles have become a major part of the city’s transport and entertainment culture.