A section of Thika Superhighway around Roysambu was barricaded as the nationwide matatu strike over rising fuel prices took effect.
Youths erected roadblocks and lit bonfires on the road forcing motorists to turn back or seek alternative routes to their destinations.
Protesters blocked the road using stones and burning tyres.
The disruption followed a joint statement issued on Sunday, May 17, by the Transport Sector Alliance announcing a nationwide shutdown of operations in protest against the recent increase in fuel prices by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (Epra).
The operators accused the government of ignoring repeated pleas from the transport sector over the increasing cost of doing business, saying the latest fuel hike had pushed many of them to the brink.
According to Epra, the price of diesel increased by Sh46.29 per litre while super petrol rose by Sh16.65 per litre.
In Nairobi, petrol is now retailing at Sh214.25 per litre while diesel costs Sh242.92, prices that stakeholders in the transport sector say are unsustainable.
Roadblocks erected on Thika Superhighway in Roysambu as the nationwide matatu strike took effect on May 18 /VICTOR IMBOTO
Commuter buses parked in Roysambu area as the nationwide matatu strike took effect on May 18 /VICTOR IMBOTO
Police officers move in after youth barricaded Thika Superhighway in Roysambu area as the nationwide matatu strike took effect on May 18 /VICTOR IMBOTOIn Kisumu, a calm but tense atmosphere engulfed Kisumu City as the strike disrupted transport services, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded and forcing commuters to dig deeper into their pockets for transport.
The usually busy Kisumu Main Bus Terminus remained unusually quiet, with only a few vehicles operating as many public service vehicles kept off the roads in support of the strike.
Major streets within the city experienced minimal vehicle movement, while some sections that are often packed with buses and matatus heading to western Kenya remained nearly empty.
Passengers travelling to different destinations said transport fares had sharply increased due to the shortage of vehicles.
Activities at the Kisumu Main Bus Terminus come to a standstill as the nationwide matatu strike took effect on May 18 /FAITH MATETE
Some public service vehicles did not even get to the main bus terminus as the nationwide matatu strike took effect on May 18 /FAITH MATETE
A deserted Kisumu Main Bus Terminus as the nationwide matatu strike took effect on May 18 /FAITH MATETE
A deserted Kisumu Main Bus Terminus as the nationwide matatu strike took effect on May 18 /FAITH MATETE
