The High Court of Kenya has upheld regulations by the National Transport and Safety Authority restricting graffiti on matatus, delivering a major win for the State in a closely watched case that pitted road safety concerns against urban culture.
In a judgment delivered by Justice Bahati Mwamuye on Wednesday, the court dismissed a petition challenging the enforcement notice issued in May last year.
The ruling effectively affirms NTSA’s enforcement notice and existing regulations, which require public service vehicles to remove graffiti, tinted windows and excessive modifications or face penalties.
The authority had argued that the rules are grounded in law and are necessary to enhance visibility, discipline and overall road safety.
Petitioners, including matatu operators and creatives, had challenged the directive, claiming it was introduced without adequate public participation and unfairly targeted Kenya’s vibrant “nganya” culture.
They also questioned the lack of evidence linking graffiti to road accidents.
However, the court sided with the regulator, reinforcing the legal standing of the rules first introduced in 2014 and later enforced through a 2024 notice.
The decision underscores the judiciary’s backing of regulatory authority in the transport sector, particularly where safety is cited as the primary concern.
The outcome is expected to reshape Nairobi’s matatu landscape, with operators now required to comply fully with NTSA standards, potentially marking a shift away from the colourful, graffiti-heavy designs that have long defined the industry.
