Chaos on the roads as matatu strike paralyses transport

Outer Ring Road and Juja Road roundabout where matatu operators blocked the road as matatu operatos effect the strike on February 2, 2026. [Jonah Onyango, Standard] 

Thousands of commuters in Nairobi and other major towns were left  stranded on Monday morning after sections of the matatu industry stayed off the roads, defying reports that a planned strike had been suspended.

In the capital, the disruption was evident from as early as dawn where long queues were witnessed at bus stops along Thika Road, Outer Ring Road, Jogoo Road and in the Central Business District as passengers struggled to find transport to work.