The protest, which took authorities by surprise, focused its disruption on critical arteries. Operators from Forward Travellers Sacco parked their vehicles directly across the Kariobangi Roundabout, rendering the vital Outering Road—a key link between the eastern and northern parts of the city—completely impassable.
“Motorists and commuters were left stranded as traffic movement in and out of Kariobangi was halted, with long queues quickly forming on feeder roads,” one report noted.
The chaos was not isolated. Ripple effects spread through Nairobi’s network. Thika Road experienced a massive traffic snarl-up, while along Waiyaki Way, matatus blocked lanes heading into the city, stranding those travelling from Uthiru, Kabete, Kinoo, and as far as Nakuru and western Kenya.
In a bold move within the Central Business District (CBD), several buses were seen closing off sections of Tom Mboya Street at the junction with Ronald Ngara Street, near the KTDA building. This area is a major bus stop for routes to Umoja, Donholm, and Githurai, amplifying the disruption for inner-city commuters.
Confusion reigned for residents from Eastlands, with reports of passengers being abruptly dropped off along Jogoo Road. Touts informed them that their SACCOs were prohibiting matatus from entering the capital entirely.
The widespread disruption followed a tense weekend. The Federation of Public Transport Sector (FPTS) had announced on Sunday, February 1, the suspension of a planned nationwide strike to allow for dialogue. This move, intended to ease tensions, was blatantly disregarded by a significant number of operators, leading to the morning’s paralysis.
The roots of the protest trace back to January 28, when matatu operators first announced plans for the strike. They are protesting the alleged torching of their vehicles by boda boda operators and accusing the government of failing to address ongoing hostility against public transport workers. The grievance had garnered sympathy, with other motorists, including truckers, having previously signaled plans to join a shutdown.
The strike has crippled movement for public service vehicles, private cars, and commercial trucks alike, causing severe delays for workers, students, and businesses that depend on these routes.
Authorities are now urging the public to avoid the Kariobangi Roundabout and Outering Road until further notice. All road users are advised to seek alternative routes, allow for extensive extra travel time, and reschedule any non-essential travel as the city works to regain its rhythm.
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