Commuters woke up to major disruptions along key routes including Thika Road and Kiambu Road on Monday February 2, 2026, with traffic building up early and matatus either operating irregularly or staying off the roads.

The situation caught many by surprise because on Sunday, matatu operators’ leaders had announced that the planned strike had been called off following consultations with authorities. Yet on the ground today, the story looks very different.

So, what’s happening?

The disruption points to a deep divide within the public transport sector. While one section of leadership agreed to suspend the strike to allow talks to continue, other operators did not fully buy into that decision.

As a result, some matatus stayed away from major highways in Nairobi, creating the impression of a strike despite the official call-off.

At the heart of this unrest are long-standing grievances that operators say remain unresolved.

Matatu owners and drivers argue that there has been a rise in road violence, vandalism, and attacks on vehicles, which has led to financial losses and safety concerns for both crews and passengers.

Matatu operators say boda boda riders have been torching matatus, with at least nine vehicles reportedly set on fire in recent incidents.

The attacks have caused heavy losses to owners and heightened fear among drivers and passengers, turning what operators describe as routine road disagreements that turn into dangerous, criminal confrontations.

They also claim that enforcement of road safety and security has been inconsistent, leaving operators feeling exposed and unheard.

For some, suspending the strike without clear, concrete action from authorities felt premature which is why they chose to maintain pressure through partial shutdowns.

The result today is not a full, coordinated strike, but a fragmented protest enough to paralyze major transport corridors and inconvenience thousands of commuters heading to work, school, and businesses.

Until there is a unified position within the matatu sector and firm action addressing their safety and security concerns, commuters may continue to experience uncertainty on the roads till the strike is officially said to be off.