Kenya Faces Transport Paralysis as Matatu Strike Over Fuel Prices Enters Second Day
NAIROBI, Kenya — Commuters across Kenya endured a second day of widespread transport disruption on Tuesday as matatu operators continued their nationwide strike over skyrocketing fuel prices. Public Service Vehicle (PSV) operators kept their fleets off the roads, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded at bus stops and terminals in major cities and towns.
The strike, which began Monday, has deepened frustrations among residents and disrupted business activity across the country. In Witethie, Thika Road, passengers were seen grappling with the sudden halt in their daily routines, forced to navigate the chaos of cancelled journeys and unavailable transport options.
“We’re stuck here with no way to get to work or return home,” lamented one commuter in Nairobi. “This strike is causing more harm than good.”
The Transport Sector Alliance, representing matatu operators, has vowed to sustain the industrial action until the government implements more substantial measures to address rising fuel costs. Negotiations between transport stakeholders and government officials ended in a deadlock Monday night after operators rejected a proposal to reduce diesel prices by Sh10, deeming the reduction insufficient to alleviate their financial strain.
Kushian Muchiri, Chairperson of the Association of Matatu Transport Owners, emphasized that the strike would remain in place until a satisfactory agreement is reached. “On the issue of diesel prices, we have not reached an agreement, and another meeting has been scheduled,” Muchiri stated. He urged drivers and vehicle owners to keep their vehicles off the roads peacefully, stressing the need for constructive dialogue to avoid further economic disruption.
The strike has severely impacted movement in key urban centers, including Nairobi, Mombasa, Kiambu, Kisii, Nakuru, and Eldoret, as well as along major transport corridors such as the Northern Corridor and the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway.
Transport stakeholders have also raised concerns about fuel adulteration, a persistent issue that has damaged commercial vehicle engines. They argue that aligning diesel and kerosene prices would help curb illegal blending practices, a point on which both sides seem to agree.
The government’s reluctance to implement a more substantial fuel price reduction has left commuters and businesses in limbo. Small business owners, reliant on public transport for supplies and deliveries, have been particularly hard-hit. “I can’t get my products to the market, and customers can’t reach my shop,” said a vendor in Kisii. “This strike is crippling us.”
As tensions rise, many Kenyans are calling for swift resolution to the standoff. The prolonged transport paralysis underlines the delicate balance between economic pressures and public welfare in a nation grappling with high living costs.
With another round of talks scheduled, stakeholders remain hopeful for a breakthrough. Until then, commuters brace for continued disruption, and businesses count the cost of a transport system brought to a standstill.
— Reported by Nexio News
