Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD) was brought to a standstill on Thursday as matatu operators staged a dramatic protest against hawkers occupying their designated parking spaces. The demonstration paralyzed transport and caused significant disruptions for pedestrians and businesses in the city center.
The unrest began in the morning when at least four vehicles from different matatu saccos were deliberately parked along major roads, including Moi Avenue, Tom Mboya Street, Accra Road, and Ronald Ngala Street. With their operations halted, the drivers and conductors took to the streets, chanting slogans and engaging in impromptu football matches, further compounding the gridlock.
The operators, frustrated by the encroachment on their designated spaces, voiced their grievances loudly. Their chants of “hakuna kubembelezana leo hapa” (we won’t take matters lightly today) echoed through the CBD, signaling their frustration with the authorities’ handling of the matter.
Speaking to the media, National CEO of the Federation of Public Transport Sector, Kushian Muchiri, demanded immediate intervention from both the national and county governments. He emphasized the need for the transport sector to be given the respect it deserves and warned that failure to address their concerns could lead to a larger industry-wide strike.
Simon Mburu, Director of Lucky Baba Dogo Traveller, expressed outrage over the situation, stating that their spaces had been occupied without any formal communication. He noted that while the traders had a letter authorizing their presence, their sacco had not been consulted or informed of any changes. Mburu further criticized the sudden shift in policy, highlighting that matatu operators and hawkers had previously coexisted under an arrangement where hawkers would open their businesses after 4 PM.
The demonstration quickly attracted the attention of law enforcement officers, who arrived at the scene to restore order. Their presence, however, did little to immediately resolve the standoff, as operators continued their protests, demanding an official resolution.
As the day progressed, the impact of the protests became more evident, with commuters stranded and businesses affected by the disruptions. Many Nairobi residents expressed frustration over the impasse, calling on the authorities to engage the concerned parties and find an amicable solution.
With tensions high and the possibility of further strikes looming, it remains to be seen how the government will navigate this latest standoff in Nairobi’s ever-chaotic transport sector.
