A nationwide public transport strike paralyzed Nairobi and its environs on Monday morning, leaving hundreds of thousands of commuters stranded and forcing many to walk long distances to work at the start of the week.
The strike, which took effect at midnight on Monday, May 18, 2026, severely disrupted morning peak-hour travel, leaving major bus termini across the city unusually deserted.
Key Transport Giants Join the Shutdown
The crisis escalated after major Matatu Savings and Credit Co-operatives (Saccos) announced they would suspend operations in solidarity with the strike. Key operators that grounded their fleets included Super Metro, Metro Trans, Latema Travellers, and Forward Travellers.
In a statement issued on Sunday evening, Super Metro confirmed the service suspension, stating, “In view of the matatu strike slated for tomorrow, we will not be in operation. We shall communicate when services will resume. Thank you.” Most Saccos have indicated that the suspension of services will remain in place until further notice.
Fuel Prices Trigger the Protests
The industrial action follows a directive from the Transport Sector Alliance, which called for a nationwide shutdown to protest the latest fuel price hikes announced by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) on May 14. The Alliance argues that soaring fuel costs are driving up the cost of living, directly impacting transport fares, electricity bills, and food prices for ordinary Kenyans.
In response, the lobby group has presented a list of stiff demands to the government. They are calling for an immediate reversal of the May 14 price hike, capping petrol and diesel prices at approximately Ksh 152 per litre, with a long-term target of Ksh 140–150. Furthermore, they want all petroleum products standardized to align with the current kerosene price of Ksh 152.78 per litre. Beyond pricing, the Alliance is demanding the immediate resignation of Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi and the complete disbandment of EPRA to make way for an independent energy regulation commission.
The Alliance has additionally urged private motorists, farmers, business owners, and workers to join peaceful, localized demonstrations to pressure the government into action.
Police Play Down Disruption, Assure Security
Despite the widespread empty stages and stranded passengers visible across Nairobi, the National Police Service (NPS) downplayed the impact of the strike.
In a statement released on Sunday, the NPS assured the public that security had been heightened countrywide, dismissing the shutdown as a move backed by only a minority faction of the transport sector.
“The majority of stakeholders in the transport sector remain committed to conducting their business without interruption. This position has been reinforced by the United Transport Association of Kenya (UTAK), which has distanced itself from the strike,” the NPS statement read.
While the police urged Kenyans to go about their business as usual, the reality on the ground on Monday morning told a different story, as commuters across the capital continued to scramble for limited alternative means of transport.