Super Metro, a popular matatu sacco, has distanced itself from controversial graffiti that allegedly appeared on one of its vehicles, which has since sparked amusement and widespread discussion on Kenyan social media, particularly on WhatsApp groups.

The vehicle in question featured two banners, each with a distinctive message. The first banner depicted a man cutting a branch of a tree labeled “Murima,” a term used to refer to the Mt. Kenya region, which has political significance in Kenya.

The image seemed to be a reference to the region’s politics, with the man symbolizing a figure possibly influencing or “cutting off” the region’s political power. The term “Murima” gained traction as it was popularized by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who frequently warned politicians against meddling with the Mt. Kenya region and was often seen fasting and praying for it.

The second banner showed the same man kneeling in prayer, with a group of lay leaders or congregants looking on. This image appears to further the religious and political undertones of the first banner.

Super Metro has since addressed the situation on its social media platforms, refuting the claims of the banners’ existence and labeling the images as a “photoshop” creation. This denial has done little to quell the attention the vehicle’s supposed messages have attracted online.