President William Ruto’s son, George Ruto, continued flexing his muscles further into the matatu industry when he bought a competing matatu for Ksh8.7 million and later called in during a Matatu Galore live podcast show that his employee was part of and bought lunch for the entire gang of five.
George, who recently bought a popular Nairobi matatu to wade off competition in the matatu awards category set to be held soon, delivered his promise just before the show concluded when a package from an eatery in Nairobi arrived during the live recording.
A driver of his matatu company was appearing on the podcast show when the president’s son called in, promising to join the podcast in the future.
According to reliable sources who spoke to Kenyans.co.ke, Ruto purchased the matatu valued at Ksh8.7 million after convincing the owner noting that the ride could give a big blow to his other fleet in the competition.
Manifest, a popular Nairobi Matatu on display.
Matatu Culture
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, Branden Marshall, the podcast’s host, noted that Ruto has been a lover of the matatu culture and is making moves to establish himself with important investments in the sector. He noted that he was open to attending industry events as well.
‘’Fredy works as part of his Manifest matatu crew and George Ruto called him to ask him where he was because at that time, the vehicle was in the garage for a mechanical check and when Fredy told him that he had passed by our show, he was elated and revealed that he is a keen follower of our podcast,’’ Marshall revealed.
‘’Towards the end of our show, a guy doing deliveries showed up with the full lunch delivered from one of the popular food delivery stores,’’ he added.
The awards organised by the Africa Mashariki Transport Awards award the best matatu plying Nairobi routes and according to Marshall, Ruto saw this as a perfect opportunity to scoop the awards. The voting process is already underway.
Ruto, who owns the popular Nairobi matatu named Manifest, bought another matatu branded Matrix after he noted that it stood a better chance of defeating his own at the awards.
Matrix, at the time of purchase, was plying route number 33 which includes parts of the greater Eastlands in Nairobi.
The matatu is already in operation and is plying the Ngong’ Road route.
‘’The matatu Matrix is already in operation and I know the driver personally. It is plying the Ngong route, as the other one undergoes maintenance,’’ Marshall added.
Matatus heading to Nairobi CBD during traffic along Ngara
Photo
Jalang’o
