Nairobi Commuters Stranded as Matatu Operators Stay Off Roads Despite Strike Call-Off

Monday morning brought frustration and uncertainty for thousands of Nairobi commuters as sections of the matatu industry stayed off the roads, despite reports that a planned strike had been called off. Long queues formed at bus stops across the city, forcing many to walk long distances, turn to boda bodas, or rely on ride-hailing services. For parents, the disruption created a particularly stressful start to the week.

Naomi Gathuo described her experience, saying she arrived late at work after waiting for over an hour at a crowded bus stop.

“The fares were hiked by 50%. I paid Ksh 150 instead of the usual 100,” she said. Naomi called for clearer communication from matatu operators and stricter enforcement of safety measures. “They need to resolve the underlying issues. The boda associations and matatu SACCOs should enforce strict measures to prevent vehicle torching. And they must communicate clearly, no more conflicting statements. We need to know exactly what’s happening the night before.”

Brian Ndegwa from Ruiru echoed the frustration, noting that covering 40 kilometers took him three hours, a delay he described as “strangely unusual.” The disruption forced many who could work from home to do so, he explained, while others worried about their safety on the road.

“Parents were concerned about whether we got to work safely and how we would return home, my dad even texted just to check,” he said. Brian lamented the lack of alternatives, as only one SACCO was operating while he normally had six. He called on transport authorities to resolve their issues without inconveniencing the public, pointing out the apparent lack of discipline in the sector.

For parents like Ann Kamau from Kasarani, the disruption raised immediate concerns about their children.

“There was communication that the strike had been called off on Sunday night, only to find the bus stop with a longer queue than usual and no vehicles. The school buses were not affected since pickups are before 7 am. As a mother, I’m worried about how my child will get home now that the roads are inaccessible,” she said. Ann spent over two hours in traffic and paid higher fares, and she urged transport authorities to maintain a clear communication channel and work closely with the county to prevent such disruptions in the future.

The mixed signals from matatu operators left commuters confused and frustrated, with the sudden fare hikes adding financial strain to the morning chaos. As Nairobi slowly returns to normal, families are calling for better communication, stricter regulation, and more disciplined transport operations to prevent future disruptions that affect both adults and children.

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