By Abdimalik Hajir - Reporter
Kenya, 18 May 2026 - Matatu operators in Garissa have joined their counterparts in the country to halt their operations over high fuel prices.
They said they will not return their vehicles to the road until the government hears their cries adding that it’s becoming extremely difficult to operate in the matatu industry.
Mohamed Hajir one representative from the Gamama Sacco said they joined their counterparts in other parts of the country since they are unable to operate because of rising fuel.
“we have families and children that we are supposed to pay fees but this rising cost of fuel that is constant on upward is making life difficult,” he said flanked by other operators.
He called on President William Ruto to look into the matter saying Kenyans are so pained by the cost of living in the country.
The operators donning the red attires strolled around the matatu staged with majority of matatus packed.
Buses plying Nairobi-Garissa road have also halted their operation, all packed in their respective stations.
Swaleh Mohamed, the stage manager said matatu operators are facing huge challenges saying the increase of fuel is driving matatu owners our of business.
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“imagine here you can’t increase fare everytime and in other hand fuel keep on increasing, sometimes you end having loses because the profit you get is so little that you can’t divide to turn owners, workers and the vehicles itself, “ he said on Monday.
Matatu operators countrywide have halted their operations in a bid to push the government to reduce the fuel.
While other parts of the country violent protests have been witnessed with motorists barricading major roads with bonfires.
In Garissa tuk tuk and boda boda operators worked with their normal schedule.
The Kismayo road was busy with traffic going on without any interruption.