Thousands of Travellers across the Country Stranded as Matatu Operators Keep Off Roads to Protest ‘Michuki Rules’

Thousands of commuters across the country were on Monday left stranded as matatu operators made good their threat of withdrawing vehicles from the roads to protest the enforcement of  ‘Michuki’ traffic rules.

In Nairobi, commuters were forced to walk to their work stations while others used alternative means of transport including boda bodas and tuk tuks. The few matatus that are in operation are charging exorbitantly high.

For instance, commuters are being charged Sh200 from Juja to Thika, instead of the usual Sh20 while those from Umoja are paying Sh200 from Sh80 to Nairobi Central Business District (CBD).

Those from Huruma are currently parting with Sh250 from the normal Sh30-50 while those from Rongai to CBD are paying Sh300. Other affected areas include Kangemi to CBD (Sh100), Kahawa Sukari to CBD (Sh150) and Githurai to CBD (Sh200).

On Saturday, the Federation of Public Transport Operators announced a countrywide  strike to oppose the crackdown on matatus that have not complied with the rules that were introduced by the late Cabinet minister John Michuki.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i and Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet say there is no turning back until sanity is restored on Kenyan roads.

“Some people might think we are joking or will relent after a while. We will stay the course until we restore sanity on the roads,” says Boinnet.

Other major cities and towns affected by the showdown between the government and matatu operators include Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, Nyeri and Eldoret.