Matatu strike tension disrupts traffic on Nairobi’s major roads
Commuters were left stranded on Monday after confusion over a planned Public Service Vehicle (PSV) operators’ strike triggered massive traffic snarl-ups across Nairobi City.
Matatus blocked major roads leading into the Central Business District (CBD), paralysing traffic and causing widespread disruption as passengers and motorists scrambled for alternative routes.
A spot check by the Nation found long queues at bus stops across the city, with many commuters forced to walk long distances or rely on boda bodas and ride-hailing services to get to work.
The disruption came amid conflicting positions among key players in the public transport sector over whether the strike was actually taking place.
Along Waiyaki Way, police fired tear gas to disperse groups of PSV operators who had blocked the road in Westlands. The operators were protesting what they described as escalating attacks and harassment by boda boda riders.
In the CBD, matatus were parked across major roads, including the intersection of Ronald Ngala Street and Tom Mboya Street, bringing traffic to a standstill and forcing pedestrians to walk long distances.
Police officers were deployed in large numbers at key junctions and matatu stages. Some matatus blocking roads had their number plates removed, while others were towed to Central Police Station.
As a result, matatus operating along Ngong Road dropped passengers at the Community area while those from Thika Road terminated trips at Ngara. Commuters along Jogoo Road were dropped off near Muthurwa Market, while those travelling via Mombasa Road had to alight between Nyayo Stadium and Bunyala Road.
Matatu operators from Forward Travellers Sacco blocked Outering Road at the Kariobangi Roundabout, a key junction linking Nairobi’s eastern and northern corridors. The blockade caused traffic to back up for kilometres on feeder roads.
Speaking to the Nation by phone, Matatu Owners Association (MOA) chairperson Albert Karakacha said the strike was prompted by recent incidents in which matatus were allegedly set ablaze by boda boda operators.
“The strike is still on. We urge our customers to understand our position as we condemn the burning of our buses,” Mr Karakacha said.
He claimed that at least 15 matatus had been torched across the country and called for stricter regulation of boda bodas, whom he accused of flouting traffic laws.
Mr Karakacha added that matatu owners had suffered heavy financial losses, noting that some of the destroyed vehicles are valued at more than Sh7 million. He also called on the government to compensate affected operators.
“We have written letters and held meetings with government officials since November, but our concerns have been ignored. The only option left is to escalate the matter to the President,” he said.
Boda boda leaders, however, distanced themselves from the strike and urged dialogue instead of disruption.
National chairman of the Boda Boda Safety Association, Kevin Mubadi, said a matatu strike was unnecessary and could hurt the sector’s own business. He warned that if matatus stopped operating, boda bodas would naturally fill the transport gap, potentially escalating tensions further.
Mr Mubadi called on both sides to engage the government through dialogue rather than actions that disrupt public transport services.
Despite the unrest, some public transport operators, including City Shuttle, City Hoppa, Kenya Bus and County Link continued to operate normally.
On Sunday, the Federation of Public Transport Sector (FPTS) announced it had suspended its planned strike after consultations with transport stakeholders and security agencies. The federation said the decision was aimed at allowing dialogue to continue while ensuring uninterrupted public transport services.
The lobby added that broader consultations were planned to address the underlying issues and seek a lasting solution.
However, the Motorists Association of Kenya (MAK) disputed this position, insisting that the strike was still on and urging operators to ignore the suspension call.
The Ministry of Transport has previously called for talks between PSV operators and boda boda riders, but matatu operators say little progress has been made.
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