Commuters in Mtwapa were left stranded on Monday after matatu operators staged a strike that brought public transport to a standstill across the bustling coastal town.
The unexpected disruption paralysed movement within Mtwapa and neighbouring areas, leaving hundreds of passengers scrambling for alternative means of transport during the morning rush hour.
With matatus completely absent from the roads, commuters were forced to rely on tuk-tuks, boda bodas and private vehicles, triggering long delays and a sharp increase in transport fares.
Witnesses described chaotic scenes at several bus stages, where frustrated passengers waited for hours hoping for transport, while others abandoned the queues and opted to walk long distances to their destinations.
“I arrived at the stage before 7am but there were no matatus at all. I had no choice but to take a boda boda at almost double the usual fare,” one commuter said.
Another resident claimed the shortage of vehicles created an opportunity for alternative transport operators to cash in on the crisis.
“Boda bodas and tuk-tuks were charging whatever they wanted because people were desperate,” the resident added.
The strike severely affected workers, students and traders travelling between Mtwapa and nearby towns, with businesses also reporting delays caused by the transport paralysis.
By Monday afternoon, many commuters were still stranded as uncertainty remained over when matatu services would resume.
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