An elderly casual worker was among thousands of Nairobi commuters forced to walk long distances on Monday after a nationwide matatu strike and a 50 per cent fare hike paralysed public transport, exposing the deepening burden of Kenya’s rising cost of living.
The woman, who was trekking from Kangemi to Westlands in search of work, said the sharp fare increase had made commuting unaffordable for low-income earners already struggling to survive.
“I have walked all the way from Kangemi because there are no matatus, and the few available are overcharging us,” she said.
“A journey that normally costs me Sh30 is now Sh100. That is very unfair to us casual workers.”
Visibly exhausted, she questioned why ordinary workers continued to shoulder the harshest consequences of fuel hikes and transport disruptions.
“This journey today is extremely difficult, especially at my age, yet I still have to report to work,” she said.
“Why is the government not caring about us workers?”
Her frustrations mirrored those of many Nairobi residents left stranded after transport operators withdrew services to protest recent fuel price increases announced by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA).
The strike, called by sections of the Transport Sector Alliance, disrupted movement across major parts of the capital, with thousands of workers, students and traders either walking to their destinations or paying inflated fares.
Last week, matatu operators announced an immediate 50 per cent fare increase following the rise in petrol and diesel prices, saying operational costs had become unsustainable.
The industrial action particularly hit low-income earners, many of whom rely on daily wages and cannot afford to miss work despite transport challenges.
Across Nairobi, commuters were seen trekking from estates such as Kangemi, Githurai, Rongai and Embakasi into the city centre as bus stops remained deserted.
The unfolding crisis has renewed concerns over Kenya’s public transport vulnerability and the broader economic strain facing households amid rising fuel prices, food costs and inflation.
While police said security had been enhanced and urged calm, many commuters argued that government interventions remained insufficient.
For workers like the elderly woman from Kangemi, Monday’s ordeal was not just about transport disruption but about economic survival.
Her experience captured the daily struggles of thousands of Kenyans who continue to bear the cost of policy decisions far beyond their control.
