Matatu Owners Association Suspends Nationwide Strike After Nairobi Transport Paralysis

The Matatu Owners Association (MOA) has officially suspended its nationwide strike until Monday, February 9, 2026, after a day of intense transport paralysis that gripped Nairobi and other major towns. Association president Albert Karakacha confirmed the decision to halt the industrial action following a morning of chaos that saw several key road arteries blocked by public service vehicles. The suspension is intended to provide a window for government engagement, though the association remains firm in its demands for improved security for its fleet and crew.

The disruption began early on Monday morning when matatu operators ignored previous reports of a suspension, instead parking their vehicles across major intersections in the Central Business District. Critical junctions, including the intersection of Ronald Ngala Street and Tom Mboya Street, were rendered impassable as operators withdrew their services. The gridlock extended to major highways such as Thika Road, Outering Road, and Waiyaki Way, where commuters were left stranded or forced to pay inflated fares to alternative transport providers.

At the heart of the dispute is a series of arson attacks targeting public service vehicles. Mr. Karakacha stated that at least 15 matatus have been torched across the country in recent months, often following road accidents involving boda boda riders. The association alleges that rogue elements within the motorcycle sector have been acting with impunity, setting fire to buses valued at upwards of Sh7 million. The MOA has accused the government of failing to protect private property and has called for stricter enforcement of traffic laws against boda boda operators.

While the Federation of Public Transport Sector (FPTS) had initially claimed the strike was called off on Sunday evening, the reality on the ground Monday morning suggested a significant disconnect between different lobby groups. Motorists and commuters faced a fractured response, with some Saccos participating in the go-slow while others attempted to maintain operations. In several instances, protesting drivers reportedly confiscated keys from colleagues who refused to join the strike, further complicating efforts by the police to restore the flow of traffic.

The Matatu Owners Association has now indicated that the strike will resume every Monday if their grievances are not addressed. Mr. Karakacha has specifically requested a direct audience with the President, expressing a lack of confidence in the Ministry of Transport to resolve the security standoff. The association is seeking compensation for the destroyed vehicles and a formal framework to prevent retaliatory attacks on the road.

Law enforcement officers spent much of the day towing vehicles that were obstructing traffic and arresting drivers involved in the blockades. By late afternoon, some services began to resume, though the backlog of commuters remained substantial at major terminuses like the Kenya National Archives and Tea Room. The next few days are expected to be critical for the transport sector as stakeholders wait to see if the government will initiate the high-level dialogue requested by the MOA to avert further weekly shutdowns.