MATATU ART & CULTURE: RIDING WITH FREE WI-FI…

Some argue that the 90’s were the best times to ride a matatu. There wasn’t one without graffiti or great loud music. You can fold fingers to count matatus with graffiti today.

But even as Nairobi mourns the demise of its moving art gallery; future generations may never know how it felt to ride in moving art.

But the ‘GOOGLE’ generation of today is bringing another strong argument to the table. Forget about mindless depression caused by traffic- you can now enjoy free Wi-Fi while in a mat (as they call it...) on your way to work or to wherever destination.

Safaricom decided to officially start the project on June 15^th after pilot installation on several of Nairobi’s matatus including those from Lang’ata; Rongai and Githurai routes.

Talk about technology meeting the matatu culture. The project-“Vuma Online” seeks to build internet audience and is set to cost KSH 7M in its initial phase; targeting to reach over 200 matatus by September this year.

So; the next time a tout comes up to you and tells you that his ‘mat’ is Wi-Fi enabled; or you read the stickers that say this matatu is Wi-Fi enabled; it is real- just ask for the password.

-matatu owners can now buy routers for KES 6,000 and internet bundles worth KES 2,000. For more info; visit www.safaricom.co.ke