Matatu Owners Warns of Nationwide Road Shutdown on Monday, Threatens Return of ‘Kamjesh’

Matatus In Ngara PHOTO/UGC

The Matatu Owners Association (MOA) has threatened to suspend public transport services across the country from Monday, February 2, 2026, citing rising attacks on matatus by boda boda riders.

Speaking on January 28, MOA chairperson Albert Karakacha said the government has failed to act despite repeated reports to security agencies and transport authorities.

Karakacha said matatu owners no longer feel protected and have been left with no option but to withdraw their vehicles from the roads.

“Our vehicles have been burned. We reported to the police and wrote to the transport minister, but nothing has happened. From Monday, we will withdraw all vehicles until the government listens to us,” Karakacha said.

According to the association, boda boda riders have increasingly engaged in attacks, vandalism, and torching of public service vehicles following road accidents.

Inter-Corridor Mobility chairperson Joseph Kagai said matatu operators are growing frustrated, warning that continued attacks could trigger dangerous confrontations.

Kagai said the situation is becoming difficult to manage and cautioned that a nationwide strike would bring public transport to a standstill.

Matatu operators also warned that continued failure by authorities to protect private property could provoke retaliatory actions.

Recent Incidents

In September 2025, boda boda riders set ablaze a matatu belonging to Super Metro Sacco after it allegedly knocked down and killed a rider along the Thika Superhighway near Juja.

Police who arrived at the scene found the vehicle completely burnt, while traffic was disrupted for hours along the busy highway.

On December 31, a 14-seater matatu was torched by angry riders following a fatal accident along the Nairobi–Nakuru Highway in Gitaru.

The crash killed a 22-year-old motorcycle rider who was reportedly delivering a carpet. Witnesses said the matatu, believed to belong to NNK Sacco, hit the rider while turning at a dangerous spot.

Another incident occurred on December 22 in Salgaa, Nakuru County, where boda boda riders burned a 65-seater bus travelling to Kampala.

The bus was torched after its driver allegedly ran over two people on a motorcycle, killing them instantly. No additional injuries were reported.