Matatu Metropolis

They are colourful, loud and flashy – the Matatus of Nairobi. In Kenya's capital these pimped buses are the main means of transport. They are so numerous that they contribute significantly to the daily traffic collapse in Nairobi. Between 20,000 and 40,000 graffiti-covered Matatus compete for the attention of the people on the streets. In order to make the old buses more attractive, the owners of the Matatus have the buses pimped not only with artistic graffiti, but also with crazy interiors, potent sound systems, screens on walls and seats, Wifi and colourful interior lighting. In western countries, public transport is generally considered environmentally friendly and positive for air quality and the CO2 footprint. In Nairobi this is not the case at all. The tens of thousands of old, scrappy buses pollute the air and clog the roads. Nevertheless, the Matatus are very popular in Nairobi. They are much more than just a means of transport, they are part of the youth culture. Every single Matatu is a rolling work of art in itself. And the operation and maintenance of the Matatus generates jobs and an income for hundreds of thousands of people in Kenya. The Matatus are designed to literally numb the human senses with loud music, intense colors and flashy neon lighting. Therefore the color grading of the photos matches the intensity of the sensory impressions. However, all images follow the code of ethics of photojournalism, none of the images were digitally altered.