Advocate Samuel Barongo Nyamari addressing the court when he filed petition challenging playing of loud music in matatus, July 27, 2026. /SCREENGRAB
A High Court advocate has filed a petition seeking orders to stop matatus from playing loud and unsolicited music while carrying passengers.
Advocate Samuel Barongo Nyamari said he filed the petition in the public interest, arguing that the practice infringes on commuters’ constitutional right to dignity.
He described loud music in matatus as a long-running problem, particularly in Nairobi.
“A pandemic that has been perpetrated for a long period of time by the matatus in this country, specifically in this city of Nairobi.”
Nyamari argues that loud music infringes not only on passengers’ right to a quiet environment but also their rights to dignity, privacy and a clean and healthy environment.
He has sued the National Environment Management Authority (Nema), the Matatu Owners Association (MOA), the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) and the Attorney General.
When the matter came up for mention on Monday before Justice Patricia Nyaundi, Nyamari told the court that loud music in public commuter vehicles amounted to a nuisance that undermined public order and should be stopped.
“My lady I invite this court to take judicial note that many matatus play loud music all through without regard to the nature of passengers they are carrying. Play loud music to the young, tender babies, to the old, to the sick. You cannot even take a call.”
The court directed the parties to file their submissions ahead of the full hearing, with judgment expected in April 2027.
Kenya’s matatu culture, which has grown popular over the years, particularly in Nairobi and other urban areas, is closely associated with loud music and entertainment.
Pimped-out public minibuses, popularly known as nganyas, often feature powerful sound systems and music as part of their appeal to commuters.
The practice, however, comes amid regulations governing noise pollution.
Nema enforces regulations that prohibit unreasonable or excessive noise that disturbs or interferes with the comfort, repose, health or safety of other people.
The Nairobi City County Public Nuisance Act, 2021, also categorises loud music in public spaces as a nuisance and requires operators to switch off or mute entertainment and sound systems when entering designated city centre zones.
Music may only be turned back on after a vehicle has completely exited the designated Central Business District area.
The law also prohibits loud, repeated or continuous hooting and sound amplification at stages and terminals where such noise constitutes a public nuisance.
The petition is the latest legal challenge involving Kenya’s multibillion-shilling matatu industry, which according to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics generates more than Sh200 billion annually.
The MOA has previously said about 25,000 matatus in Nairobi generate an estimated Sh375 million daily.
The case comes months after the High Court dismissed another petition challenging NTSA’s ban on graffiti on public service vehicles.
On April 29, 2026, the court ruled that the restrictions were lawful and aimed at promoting road safety.
However, on May 22, President William Ruto directed NTSA to spare decorated public service vehicles from punitive action, offering operators a reprieve from enforcement of the graffiti ban.
