From dawn, crowded bus stops, deserted matatu termini and unusually quiet transport corridors reflected the scale of the coordinated shutdown orchestrated by the Transport Sector Alliance (TSA).

📻 Breaking It Down

NAIROBI, Kenya, May 18 — Thousands of stranded commuters streamed through roads and highways across Nairobi Monday morning after a nationwide transport strike crippled matatu and bus operations, transforming large sections of the capital into a “walking city” as pressure mounted on the government to urgently lower soaring fuel prices.

From dawn, crowded bus stops, deserted matatu termini and unusually quiet transport corridors reflected the scale of the coordinated shutdown orchestrated by the Transport Sector Alliance (TSA).

Across Thika Road, Mombasa Road, Waiyaki Way, Jogoo Road and Ngong Road, office workers, traders and students trekked several kilometres after failing to secure transport, while the few operational boda bodas charged sharply inflated fares.

📌 What You Need to Know

The industrial action — involving matatu operators, truckers, boda boda riders, digital taxi operators, logistics firms and private motorists — is shaping into one of the broadest economic protests witnessed in Kenya in recent years.

“This action is not only for transport operators, but for every Kenyan citizen,” the alliance said in a joint statement Sunday.

“The ordinary mwananchi is the ultimate victim of high fuel prices, paying more for transport, food, electricity and essential commodities.”

The TSA brings together the Federation of Public Transport Sector (FPTS), Matatu Owners Association, Rig Owners Association, Motorist Association of Kenya (MAK), Association of Matatu Transport Owners (AMTO), Digital Boda Drivers and Deliveries Association, Truckers Association of Kenya, Digital Taxi Association of Kenya, Tour Guide Association, Association of Bus Operators, Counties Commuters Welfare Association, Mass Mobility Operators Association, Driving School Association and private motorists.

The coalition declared the strike “99 per cent successful” and vowed no vehicle would move beginning midnight Sunday.

At the heart of the standoff is a high-stakes political and economic gamble facing President William Ruto’s administration: hold firm on fuel prices and risk deeper nationwide disruption, or concede to mounting pressure for immediate pump price reductions.

📰 Source: Capital FM Kenya