Matatus block a section of Waiyaki Way/ JACK OWUOR
President of the Matatu Owners Association Albert Karakacha has announced that matatu operators will hold a strike every Monday.
Speaking during an interview on Monday, Karakacha said the weekly go-slow would continue until the government addresses the issues raised by the association.
“We will be doing it every Monday. If there are no negotiations by next Monday, we will still be on the road until our concerns are heard,” he said.
“What we are telling our passengers is that we are sorry for what happened but we are fighting for your rights.”
Karakacha ruled out having any discussions with Transport Cabinet Secretary, Davis Chirchir, stating that the association will only speak to the President.
“We are ready to sit down with the president and not the CS. The President said that he will protect the property of Kenyans and the citizens too,” he said
Earlier, police officers had been deployed in large numbers at key junctions and matatu stages as matatu operators continued to disrupt normal operations.
Heavy traffic congestion is being experienced along Waiyaki Way in Westlands as disruptions linked to the matatu strike spilt onto major roads, bringing movement to a near standstill.
From the early morning hours, traffic began building rapidly after motorists started using wrong lanes and unauthorised routes in an effort to beat the growing gridlock.
The situation quickly escalated as vehicles overlapped and blocked intersections, severely disrupting traffic flow in both directions.
Matatu operators had announced on January 28 plans for a nationwide strike to protest the alleged torching of their vehicles by boda boda operators, claiming the government had failed to address hostility against the sector.
Officers were seen attempting to restore order by breaking up small groups, redirecting vehicles into the correct lanes, and controlling access to key junctions.
However, their efforts were challenged as some drivers continue to ignore traffic rules, further worsening the congestion.