Commuters across Nairobi were stranded and forced to walk to work on Monday May 18, 2026 after a matatu strike triggered by the recent fuel price hike paralysed transport operations in the city.

Hundreds of passengers waited for hours at bus stages in Kawangware, hoping to secure transport to the Central Business District, while others opted to trek long distances after fares tripled during the morning rush.

Those lucky enough to board the few matatus operating were forced to pay higher amounts of cash.

“I have paid Sh200 to town, a route that usually costs Sh60,” lamented one passenger who managed to get into the city centre.

Another commuter from Kibera described the situation as unbearable for ordinary Kenyans.

“I paid Sh150 from Kibera to the CBD, yet we usually pay Sh50 in the morning,” the passenger said.

Most of the frustrated commuters accused the government of failing to cushion citizens from the rising cost of living and called for urgent intervention to restore normalcy in the transport sector.

The strike also disrupted operations for boda boda riders, many of whom had hoped to provide alternative transport to stranded passengers.

However, riders in Kawangware said they were being blocked from carrying commuters.

“It has been tough since morning. We are being stopped from carrying passengers. I have only made Sh100 since morning,” said one boda boda rider.

Another rider blamed the government for the worsening economic hardship brought about by rising fuel prices.

The ongoing transport crisis follows the latest fuel price increase announced by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA).