The Nganya Awards 2025 lit up KICC on November 29 as fans, crews and designers gathered to celebrate Kenya’s most iconic matatus, with Ongata Rongai’s Route 125 represented by Detroit, Baba Yaga and Phenomenal.
The Nganya Awards 2025 were held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre where Ongata Rongai’s Route 125 had a strong presence through Detroit, Baba Yaga and Phenomenal. The event brought together crews, designers, fans and transport operators in a celebration of creativity, discipline and the competitive energy that fuels Kenya’s nganya culture.
Detroit stood out after winning Make Over of the year (Riko of the Year), a category that recognises a matatu that has undergone significant upgrades in bodywork, paint jobs, graffiti and interior design. Detroit has built a loyal following on the busy Rongai route, and its victory reflected both its popularity and the effort invested in its transformation and presentation.
Baba Yaga’s (John Wick) Yaga Boys added to the pride of Route 125 when it secured Crew of the Year, an honour given to a team that demonstrates professionalism, coordination and strong passenger handling. The crew’s discipline and energy have made Baba Yaga one of the most recognisable nganyas in the corridor, and the award reinforced its reputation as a well-managed and dependable unit.
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Phenomenal delivered another major win for Rongai after emerging as Sound Beast, an award that celebrates technical skill in creating powerful sound setups. Known for its sharp audio quality, heavy bass and clean tuning, Phenomenal has long been a favourite among passengers who enjoy the entertainment side of nganya culture.
The ceremony also highlighted individual excellence through Katana, who won Best Conductor for maintaining order, providing good service and consistently managing passengers with efficiency. The award recognised the human element behind the daily running of nganyas.
Driving proficiency was applauded when Ostoh, who drives Moneyfest, took home Driver of the Year, a category that rewards calm control, safety, confidence and steady performance on demanding routes. His win underscored the importance of responsible driving in an industry built on speed and precision.
Mechanical care and long-term upkeep were acknowledged as Stung 2.0 claimed Best Maintained, an award reserved for vehicles that remain in excellent condition inside and out. Its win demonstrated the value of investing in regular checks, quality workmanship and cleanliness.
The highest honour of the night went to Opposite (Manunda), which was crowned Kenya One for the fourth time in a row, the ultimate recognition given to the most outstanding nganya across all categories. The title marked Opposite as the top vehicle of 2025 and a symbol of excellence in creativity, maintenance and customer appeal.
By Benedict Aoya
It’s impressive to see how Route 125 keeps raising the bar, and Detroit’s win really highlights how much creativity and craft goes into these makeovers. What stood out to me is how the awards bring together not just crews and fans, but also designers and operators who shape the culture behind the scenes. Events like this really show that nganya culture is as much about community as it is about aesthetics.