Commuters across Kenya faced major travel chaos on Monday after a nationwide matatu strike brought transport services to a near standstill, leaving thousands stranded and forcing many to walk long distances to work and school.
The industrial action, sparked by soaring fuel prices, paralysed movement in several counties as matatus, taxis, boda bodas and trucks stayed off the roads in protest against the latest fuel price hike announced by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA).
In a statement, the Kenya Red Cross Society confirmed that transport operations had been severely disrupted in multiple parts of the country.
“Movement has been disrupted in several parts of the country following a nationwide transport sector strike linked to fuel price increases,” the organisation said.
The humanitarian agency identified Nairobi, Mombasa, Kiambu, Machakos, Kajiado, Kisumu, Embu, Murang’a and Makueni among the counties hardest hit by the strike.
Major roads including Thika Road, North Airport Road, Machakos Junction, Rongai and Kitengela experienced severe disruption as desperate commuters struggled to find alternative transport.
In some areas, protesters barricaded sections of major highways using stones and burning tyres, causing further gridlock along the Thika Superhighway, Kenyatta Road, Magadi Road, and parts of the Nakuru-Nairobi and Meru-Nairobi highways.
Police officers were deployed to several affected zones as tensions escalated.
Thousands of Nairobi residents were left stranded from as early as 5am after matatu operators made good on threats to paralyse public transport services unless the government intervened to address rising fuel costs.
Bus stages across the capital quickly filled with frustrated commuters, many waiting for hours in the hope that transport services would resume.
The few private vehicles and taxis still operating reportedly took advantage of the crisis by sharply increasing fares, while boda boda riders also raised charges amid soaring demand.
The strike followed a joint statement issued on Sunday, May 17, by the Transport Sector Alliance announcing a nationwide shutdown in protest against the latest fuel review.
The Truckers Association of Kenya also backed the action, warning that transporters and truck drivers would down their tools completely unless urgent measures were taken to lower fuel prices.
Association General Secretary Dennis Kilia said the rising cost of fuel had made operations unsustainable for many transporters.
Meanwhile, the Matatu Owners Association, led by chairman Albert Karakacha, insisted operators could no longer absorb the mounting operational costs caused by repeated fuel price increases.
However, Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi criticised the strike, describing it as unnecessary despite admitting that high fuel prices were hurting households and businesses across the country.
Speaking during an interview with NTV Kenya, Mbadi argued that the crisis was driven by global market forces beyond Kenya’s direct control.
“In my view, the strike is completely uncalled for even though the prices of fuel have gone up,” Mbadi said.
“My concern is that we are trying to solve a global problem, applying domestic means, which is not appropriate.”
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