Kenya's Painted Minibuses

Matatus are privately owned minibuses used as share taxis in Kenya, plying set routes and stopping to collect passengers.

The name comes from a Swahili colloquialism meaning three; in the 1970s, three 10-cent coins made up the typical fare.

Kenyan law requires matatus to have seatbelts and speed governors for safety. There are strict regulations governing the matatu industry.

Matatu operators pay a large sum for custom paint.

These mobile sound systems play gospel, R&B and hip-hop loudly to attract riders, spurred by 1980s hip-hop influence.

As of late 2010, government policy phases out minibus matatus in Nairobi for larger buses seating 25 or more.

A rolling shrine to roundhouse kicks.