End of an Era? Video Shows Grounded Double M Buses That Once Ruled Nairobi Roads

For many Nairobians, the name Double M was more than just a matatu – it was a culture.

From Eastlands to CBD, from Umoja to Kawangware, those signature buses with loud music, graffiti and disciplined crews dominated Nairobi routes for years. Today, they are just a memory parked in a yard.

A video that has emerged online and is now trending has left many city residents emotional. It shows dozens of Double M buses grounded, dusty, tyres flat, parked in one yard – no longer operating the several routes they once controlled in Nairobi.

The clip, shared on TikTok and Facebook, shows the once-mighty fleet rotting away, with some buses vandalized and others covered in dust. Kenyans who grew up using Double M have flooded the comment section with nostalgic messages.

According to reports from transport stakeholders who spoke to this publication, the buses were grounded following the death of the owner. Double M was a family business built from scratch into one of Nairobi’s most respected matatu Saccos.

After the founder’s demise, sources claim the family was unable to sustain the business. Management wrangles, debts, and lack of hands-on leadership reportedly crippled operations, forcing the fleet to be parked.

“Double M was run with an iron fist and a clear vision. When Mzee passed, no one could fill his shoes,” a former driver who worked for the Sacco for 8 years told us.

By 2024, most of the buses had stopped operating on key routes like Umoja-Innercore, Dandora, Kayole and Kawangware. Passengers were forced to shift to other Saccos like Latema, Lopha and Forward Travellers.

Transport experts in Nairobi say the fall of Double M is a lesson to many family-owned matatu businesses that lack succession plans. Without proper structure, even the biggest Saccos can collapse overnight.

For now, the grounded buses remain a painful reminder of how a transport giant fell silent. Whether the family will revive the business or sell off the fleet remains unclear.

One thing is certain – Nairobi roads will never be the same without the roar of Double M.

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