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Police officers on Monday clamped down on matatus obstructing roads in Nairobi’s Central Business District, removing registration plates from vehicles that had blocked major streets as a nationwide public transport strike disrupted movement across the city.
The disruption followed a strike called by the Matatu Owners Association (MOA), despite an earlier announcement by the Federation of Public Transport Sector (FPTS) that negotiations with boda boda operators and security agencies had led to the suspension of the industrial action.
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Officers were seen detaching number plates from matatus parked at key junctions and access routes within the CBD, carrying them away as patrol teams moved through the area in an effort to reopen blocked roads. Stranded commuters and bystanders watched as police enforced traffic regulations amid growing congestion.
“We cannot allow vehicles to obstruct roads and bring the city to a standstill. Any matatu blocking traffic will be dealt with,” one officer said during the operation.
The traffic disruption extended to major highways, with severe congestion reported along Waiyaki Way in Westlands, where traffic flow slowed dramatically.
From the early morning, gridlock worsened as drivers attempted to bypass the jam by using illegal lanes and unauthorised routes. The situation deteriorated further when vehicles overlapped at intersections, blocking junctions and disrupting traffic in both directions.
“It’s total chaos. People are driving on the wrong side just to get out of the jam, but nothing is moving,” said commuter Peter Mwangi, who was stuck along Waiyaki Way for more than two hours.
Matatu operators had earlier announced plans for a nationwide strike on January 28, citing rising attacks on their vehicles, including alleged arson by boda boda operators.
On Sunday, the FPTS said the strike had been called off after consultations involving matatu groups, boda boda representatives and security agencies, aimed at easing tensions and resolving disputes between the two transport sectors.
However, the MOA dismissed the suspension, maintaining that the strike would go on.
“The government has failed to address the growing lawlessness among boda boda operators. Until our members are guaranteed safety, the strike will continue,” an MOA official said.
By mid-morning, police remained deployed at major junctions and matatu stages, while commuters were forced to walk long distances or look for alternative means of transport. Authorities warned that enforcement operations would persist until normal traffic flow was restored.
