Matatu operators have announced they will return to the streets on Monday, February 9, to protest the government’s reluctance to address the increasing cases of lawlessness by boda boda operators.
By
Archeadious kubai
In a press briefing on Monday, Matatu Owners Association President Albert Karagacha said that matatu owners would not back down until President William Ruto agrees to have an engagement with them.
Karagacha has said that the strike would take place every Monday each week their grievances went unchecked.
“We will be back in the streets on Monday, and we want to tell our passengers that we are very sorry, but we are trying to battle for your rights because you also know very well that if the vehicle is burnt and it has passengers, all of them might perish,” Karagacha said.
Traffic on thika road as matatu operators’ strike continues
Traffic on Thika Road as matatu operators’ strike continues Facebook
“We want to talk to the president himself, because if there are no negotiations, the strike will happen every Monday,” he added.
The owners have affirmed that engagement with the president will be vital in laying the necessary security strategies to avoid the loss of property and reinforce road safety across the country.
The operators announced the nationwide strike on January 28, which was prompted by the government’s reluctance to address hostility against public transport operators.
PSV owners further slammed the police for unlawfully detaining their vehicles and drivers after staging the protests, yet they have not taken any action against the individuals responsible for burning their vehicles.
“Today we are counting 70 per cent success, and today is just the beginning because for 13 years there has never been a public transport strike, and we are back until we get the proper audience that we want,” another owner said.
Chaos unfolded on Monday after Matatu operators used their vehicles to block several key routes in Nairobi, Thika Super Highway, and Waiyaki Way, causing significant delays.
Police officers were then deployed to disperse the protesting motorists, with authorities resorting to removing number plates and towing matatus captured blocking various streets in Nairobi CBD.
The Motorist Association of Kenya had initially stated on Sunday that transport workers, private car owners, transporters, and truck drivers would halt operations to support matatu operators.
This was contrary to a separate announcement from the Federation of Public Transport Sector (FPTS), CEO Muciri who hard Condrolally opinion which said the strike was off after expressing willingness to engage government stakeholders.
In MAK’s statement, the association noted that at least nine vehicles, including matatus, buses, trucks, and private cars, have been torched by mobs following road incidents involving pedestrians or boda boda riders in areas such as Juja, Luanda in Vihiga County, and along the Thika Superhighway.
“These acts represent millions of shillings in losses, destroy years of hard work in minutes, and place innocent passengers, drivers, and bystanders in mortal danger,”
