Motorists, Truckers to Join Matatus in Nationwide Strike Over Road Violence
Transport services across Kenya are set to face significant disruption on Monday after motorists, truck drivers, and other transport operators announced plans to join matatu operators in a nationwide strike to protest rising cases of road violence and what they describe as persistent impunity.
The Motorists Association of Kenya (MAK) said on Saturday, January 31, that private car owners, transporters, and truckers would suspend operations in solidarity with matatu operators, citing repeated incidents of vehicle burnings and an alleged lack of decisive government response. The association confirmed that a formal strike notice had been issued for Monday, February 2, following what it termed the authorities’ failure to address concerns raised earlier this week.
In a statement, MAK warned that the shutdown could mark the start of sustained protests unless urgent measures are taken to restore law and order on Kenyan roads. Transport operators say violent attacks on vehicles have become increasingly frequent and brazen, exposing drivers, passengers, and bystanders to serious danger.
According to figures cited by the operators, at least nine vehicles—including matatus, buses, trucks, and private cars—have been torched by mobs within the past month alone. Several of the incidents reportedly followed road accidents involving pedestrians or boda boda riders in areas such as Juja, Luanda in Vihiga County, and along the Thika Superhighway.
Transport sector players say the attacks have resulted in losses running into millions of shillings and destroyed livelihoods, while the failure to arrest and prosecute suspects has emboldened further violence.
“What we are witnessing is the replacement of due process with mob justice,” a statement from the association read. “This has created fear among motorists and eroded confidence in law enforcement agencies mandated to protect road users.”
The Matatu Owners Association and other Public Service Vehicle (PSV) operators were the first to announce the strike during a press briefing on Wednesday. They accused the government of failing to safeguard their businesses despite the sector being among the country’s largest contributors to tax revenue.
“We pay taxes, fuel levies, and licensing fees, yet our vehicles are burned in broad daylight with no arrests,” one operator said. “Many matatus are uninsured, and without government protection, years of investment are wiped out in minutes.”
The operators warned that patience within the sector was rapidly wearing thin, alleging that investigations into recent torching incidents have yielded little progress. PSV leaders further threatened to escalate the protests by blocking major roads and highways if their grievances remain unaddressed.
The looming strike has raised concerns about its potential impact on commuters, supply chains, and the broader economy, particularly if truckers and long-haul transporters halt operations. Analysts warn that even a one-day shutdown could disrupt food distribution, fuel supplies, and urban mobility.
In response to growing pressure, the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), working alongside the National Police Service (NPS) and other agencies, announced plans to pilot a new identification system for boda boda riders in Nairobi. Officials say the initiative aims to improve accountability and regulation within the sector.
Sources familiar with the plan said riders would be issued unique identification numbers separate from motorcycle registration plates, enabling authorities to better track operations and address misconduct. The proposal follows sustained calls from matatu owners and motorists, who have blamed rogue riders for some of the violent incidents.
While government agencies say consultations are ongoing, transport operators insist that tangible action—not promises—is needed to avert the strike and restore confidence on Kenya’s roads.
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Motorists, Truckers to Join Matatus in Nationwide Strike Over Road Violence
