Monday matatu strike still on, operators warn

You should brace yourself for a tough time tomorrow and subsequent Mondays after a section of public service vehicles announced plans to down their tools.

A number of associations on Sunday raised concerns over impunity on Kenyan roads over the torching of vehicles each time there's an accident.

The announcement, however, leaves the public in confusion after another group of public service operators called off the Monday strike after a meeting with Nairobi Police boss George Sedah on Saturday.

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A section of the matatu operators and other motorists under the Federation of Public Transport Sector (FPTS) in a notice said the suspension of the strike will pave the way for dialogue between stakeholders in the transport sector to ease the brewing tension.

"Following consultations between representatives of Boda Boda Operators, PSV Operators, and Security agencies, it was agreed that the Matatu Strike scheduled for Monday, February 2, 2026, be suspended to give dialogue a chance," the notice read.

"Public transport will operate as usual, and dialogue continues towards a lasting solution," the notice added.

But now, the representatives from the truck association and public service vehicles, as well as Wasafi boda boda transport, have thrown their weight behind Monday's action.

Inter-corridor mobility chairman Joseph Kagai said the strike is on tomorrow.

"The property of investors must be respected. We will down our tools on Monday," Kagai said.

The sector players addressed the media at the Bomblast Memorial Park area on Sunday.

Kagai said the sector has lost over 10 vehicles through lawlessness.

Mass mobility Secretary General Wilfred Bosire heaped the blame on the Interior Ministry and the National Police Service over alleged inaction.

"No one will call off the strike because we have an insensitive government; we want safe roads," Bosire said.

Paul Thiongo from Forward Travellers said when one car is torched, over 10 families are affected. He said the strike will happen every Monday until the government listens.

Matatu Owners Association President Albert Karakacha said the sector is a key pillar of the economy, and as such, there is a need for the state to ensure security.

Karakacha said the biting strike will see the government lose at least Sh3 billion daily. He reiterated that the government must compensate the investors who have since lost their vehicle.

John Makori from Wasafi boda boda said they have put in place initiatives aimed at bringing sanity to the sector. The majority condemned the lawlessness in the sector.

"We do not agree with criminal gangs amongst ourselves. They destroy our name," Makori said.

Makori said someone the initiatives put in place include a QR code that has each and every detail of their riders. The riders are also armed with identification badges that also have QR codes with details of each and every rider.