- Thousands of Nairobi commuters faced delays after matatu operators launched a nationwide strike.
- Major routes including Mombasa Road, Outer Ring Road, and Lang’ata Road were heavily affected.
- Transport operators say rising fuel prices and operating costs pushed them to suspend services.
- Several commuters were forced to walk long distances or pay inflated fares for alternative transport.
Morning transport operations across Nairobi were thrown into confusion after matatu operators began a nationwide strike that disrupted movement on several key roads and left thousands of passengers stranded.
Commuters heading to work, school, and business centres woke up to unusually long queues at bus stages as public service vehicles failed to operate normally along busy routes such as Mombasa Road, Outer Ring Road, Thika Road, and Lang’ata Road.
The disruption caused frustration among passengers, many of whom spent hours searching for transport. Others were forced to walk long distances after failing to secure vehicles during the peak morning rush.
The strike comes amid growing pressure on the public transport sector following recent fuel price increases. Matatu owners and drivers say the rising cost of diesel and petrol has sharply increased operational expenses, making it difficult for many operators to remain profitable.
Several operators argued that the transport business has become increasingly expensive due to fuel costs, vehicle maintenance, insurance charges, and daily licensing expenses.
The situation worsened after popular Nairobi SACCO Super Metro suspended operations during the strike period, affecting thousands of commuters who rely on its fleet daily.
The absence of matatus on major roads also created traffic confusion in parts of the city, with overcrowding reported at multiple bus stops. In some areas, private motorists and alternative transport providers reportedly took advantage of the shortage by increasing fares significantly.
Businesses in different parts of Nairobi also felt the impact, with some workers arriving late while others failed to report entirely due to transport challenges.
Students were equally affected as many struggled to reach schools and colleges on time.
Passengers have now called on the government, fuel regulators, and transport stakeholders to urgently intervene and resolve the standoff before the situation worsens further.
The strike has once again highlighted the growing pressure facing Kenya’s public transport sector as fuel prices continue to affect both operators and ordinary wananchi already dealing with a high cost of living.
With uncertainty still surrounding when services will fully resume, many Nairobi residents are bracing for another difficult day of commuting if no agreement is reached soon.
