If there's one thing that's quintessentially street culture in Nairobi, it's Matatus. These vibrant mini buses are the choice mode of transport for most Kenyans. You've seen them weave through the city traffic blaring loud music, flashing lights. Sometimes, you'll even spot a tout precariously hanging out the door! But if there's one thing they are best known for, it's their eye catching graffiti-style artwork.
We got to hang out with Mohammed Kartar, better known as 'Moha Grafix', the guy behind "Straight Outta Moha Grafix", at his workshop in industrial area. He is arguably the leading Matatu graffiti artist in town.  If you've watched PIMP my ride on MTV, you'll understand Moha's business model.
He lets us in on his passion, humble beginnings, his fave mathree and the future of Moha Grafix.
KB: We can't even remember a time when your signature matatus weren't a common sight on the roads. Just how long have you been doing this?
Moha:  Close to 24 years. I've been a graffiti artist since high school. I went pro with spray-painting around 1999.  It's been a passion of mine for the longest. I've only broken even about a decade ago. But I've been around for two decades.
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KB: Oh wow! That's amazing. You've probably 'pimped out' thousands of matatus in this time span.
Moha: Yeah, probably. I can't even keep count. The years just before the infamous 'Michuki ban' were the peak of my business. We'd customize close to twenty matatus in one week alone. It was crazy! We were barely sleeping!
KB: How did you feel when the government banned graffiti on matatus?
Moha: The worst feeling. This is my livelihood. So many young people depend on this business for their survival. I'm glad the ban was lifted.
KB: How did you get started with all this? Was this always a dream of yours growing up in Eastleigh?
I thought I was going to be a doctor. My Dad really wanted me to be a doctor. But both my parents died when I was young and things didn't quite work out in school. I had to get a job straight out of high school. I had a 9-5 job I wasn't really passionate about. I decided to put my art skills to work. Starting out really small, getting praised for my work and yet, being paid peanuts for it. The only thing that kept me going was my passion and creativity.
KB: So you're saying you're self-taught?
Moha: Yes. I didn't learn this in a classroom. We didn't even have YouTube tutorials back in the day. I had to experiment and make lots of mistakes. I've perfected my skills over the years by learning on the job.
KB: Not an easy road huh? We see you've got lots of hands helping around. Business is good?
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my team

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Moha: We've grown tremendously over the years. And yes, it's not been an easy road. I've got a couple of full time employees but most are on contractual basis when it gets overwhelming.
KB: Do your apprentices venture out and start their own thing?
They do. And I have no qualms with that. I have my own loyal clientele. I don't own exclusive rights to this kind of business. Competition is healthy and I even have a training program to mentor new talent in the market. I'm doing my part to create employment in Kenya and empower the youth.
KB: Take us through the 'behind-the-scenes of getting a pimped-out ride on the road. From scratch.
I consult the client first and get a brief on what they want. Then I get to see the condition of the vehicle. This is important because it'll determine the scope of work. Before spray painting we need to nip and tuck the vehicle's body. We have a color chart that a client can choose colours from. Some clients are undecided so I help out with that. The time and resources spent on a particular vehicle all depends on the budget and details that go into it.
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KB: What's your most memorable pimped-out matatu. I know you're proud of all of them but which one stands out from the rest?
Moha: It's got to be a matatu we christened Tasmania. We spruced it up a few years ago. It was a dope one. It was even profiled by on one of the local TV stations right before it hit the road. The streets loved it! People talked about it for a long time.
KB: The Graffiti culture in Nairobi has always been frowned upon by authorities. They just don't get it. Yet in cities like Amsterdam, it's endorsed (conditionally) by city authorities. Their streets are very artsy Would you like to see that happen here? Perhaps be part of the vanguard that leads the graffiti revolution?
Moha:  That would be great if we could do it here! It's just a generational thing. Most of the people in the authority are from a 'different time'. That's why they don't get it. But the graffiti culture in Eastlands Nairobi is so entrenched I even get commissioned to do it in offices and homes.
KB: Whoa! That's amazing you've really expanded your portfolio huh?
Moha: Yes! Sky's the limit for me. I'm currently negotiating selling rights to the Trademarked "Straight Outta Moha Grafix" in Uganda. Someone's trying to start up a similar business and that name carries a lot of weight.
KB:  What's a surprising thing people don't know about you?
Moha:  I'm really passionate about photography. When I'm not getting down and dirty at the workshop, I'm taking pictures. I've invested in a good camera.  I'm getting really good at it.
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KB:  Handing over the reins any time soon?
Moha: I'm going to be here for a long time. Haha!

About The Author

Author
Omani Joy

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