Advertisement
Chaos on Thika Superhighway as burning tyres block highway in matatu strike over fuel price hike
18th May, 2026 08:49 AM
Thika Road was thrown into early morning chaos on Monday as sections of the busy highway were barricaded with burning tyres, leaving commuters stranded and forcing traffic to a complete standstill, as a nationwide matatu strike kicked off in protest against the latest fuel price hike announced by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA).
Videos circulating widely on social media show long queues of vehicles trapped along the highway, with motorists switching off engines as thick smoke from burning tyres drifted across the road. In some clips, frustrated commuters are seen walking long distances in search of alternative transport, while others remain stuck in vehicles.
The strike has been called by a coalition of transport stakeholders, including the Matatu Owners Association (MOA), the Motorists Association of Kenya (MAK), and the broader Transport Alliance, which brings together matatu operators, boda boda riders, freight companies, and other fuel-dependent groups. According to their joint position, the industry can no longer absorb rising operational costs following the latest EPRA fuel review, which pushed petrol and diesel prices sharply upward.
In Nairobi, Super Petrol now stands at Ksh214.25 per litre while diesel has surged to Ksh242.92 per litre, a jump transport operators say has made daily operations unsustainable. The operators argue that the fuel increases have triggered a ripple effect across the economy, from transport fares to food prices.
The Matatu Owners Association, led by chairman Albert Karakacha, has been among the most vocal groups, insisting that the government must urgently address what they describe as runaway fuel costs. In earlier statements widely reported by media houses, the association warned that public transport would grind to a halt if their grievances were ignored, with operators also pushing for fare adjustments of up to 50 per cent to cope with the pressure.
The Transport Alliance has gone further, calling for structural reforms in fuel pricing and even demanding changes at the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority, arguing that the current system leaves operators exposed to global oil shocks without adequate cushioning. They maintain that the latest increase has worsened the already high cost of living, affecting not just transporters but ordinary Kenyans who rely on matatus for daily movement to work, school, and business.
Across Nairobi and other urban centres, commuters have been the immediate victims of the disruption, with long-distance travel becoming unpredictable and fares in some areas reportedly fluctuating as operators either stayed off the road or attempted to recover losses. Some stranded passengers described the morning as a test of patience and shoe leather, as they walked in search of working routes while traffic police tried to restore order on key highways.
