Nganya enthusiasts turn out in hundreds as popular Nairobi curator Chinku is buried in Kibwezi
By Steve Ireri, August 14, 2026Nairobi’s vibrant Nganya culture fell into mourning on Friday, August 14, 2026, as hundreds of matatu enthusiasts, drivers and friends travelled to Kibwezi to bid a final farewell to celebrated Embakasi nganya curator Chinku, whose real name was Collins Kyungu.
The usually colourful world of customised matatus took on a sombre tone as members of the fraternity left Nairobi in a long procession, turning the journey to Kibwezi into a moving tribute to a man who had spent years documenting, celebrating and promoting the culture that has become a defining part of Nairobi’s streets.
Popular nganyas operating on different Nairobi routes joined the procession, with some fitted with large photographs of Chinku and messages mourning his death.
The procession drew the attention of motorists and members of the public along the route, offering a striking reminder of the influence Chinku had built within Nairobi’s matatu culture.
Among those who travelled to Kibwezi was popular nganya enthusiast Nganya Princess, who joined hundreds of other mourners who had gathered to honour the late curator.
Several enthusiasts also wore T-shirts bearing Chinku’s photograph alongside rest-in-peace messages.
At the burial venue, the atmosphere was markedly different from the energetic environment in which Chinku had made his name.
His body arrived in a large white casket before being placed on a dusty open field where hundreds of mourners, family members, friends and members of the matatu fraternity gathered.
A large number of vehicles, including several customised nganyas, were parked around the field as mourners assembled to pay their final respects.
Drivers and enthusiasts from some of Nairobi’s most recognisable nganyas were also present, including Raptor and Master Wong, who joined the fraternity in mourning one of its most familiar faces.
Lenny, a driver associated with George Ruto’s Mood nganya, was also among those who attended the burial, further underlining the breadth of Chinku’s connections within Nairobi’s matatu fraternity.
Who was Chinku?
Chinku, also popularly known as China Man, was a celebrated nganya enthusiast and curator associated with Nairobi’s Embakasi route, commonly identified as Route 033.
He was known for showcasing some of the city’s most eye-catching customised matatus, including Restoration, Mood and MoneyFest, helping to bring the vibrant world of nganya culture to a much wider online audience.
His work went beyond simply photographing or showcasing vehicles.
Chinku became a recognisable personality within the culture, with his fashion, energy and social media presence helping him build a following among matatu enthusiasts and young Kenyans fascinated by the country’s distinctive matatu scene.
He was also known for creating content with fellow matatu culture personality Hatari Man, with their appearances and collaborations becoming popular on social media.
His influence was particularly strong around the Embakasi corridor, where he became one of the familiar faces associated with the route’s thriving nganya culture.
Chinku’s final days
Chinku died on Friday, August 7, 2026, after battling a serious illness.
He had spent his final days in the Intensive Care Unit, as his condition deteriorated and members of the matatu fraternity rallied around him.
The community had already begun mobilising financial support to help meet his medical expenses and later assist his family with funeral arrangements.
Welfare and fan groups within the matatu community contributed towards the cause, reflecting the affection he had earned during his years in the scene.