By Magdalene Wanja - Reporter
Kenya, 18 May 2026 - Kenya’s major cities ground to a halt on Monday as commuters were forced to walk long distances to work.
Public transport operators, including matatus and other PSV providers, stayed off the roads in protest against the recent hike in fuel prices.
The strike left streets unusually quiet, with thousands stranded and businesses disrupted.
Appearing on NTV’s morning show, Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi dismissed the strike as misguided.
He argued that local operators were attempting to tackle a global crisis through domestic action.
“We have not caused the US-Israel war on Iran,” Mbadi noted, insisting that Kenya’s fuel challenges are tied to international conflicts beyond the government’s control.
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The standoff highlights the growing tension between citizens grappling with rising costs and a government pointing to external factors.
For many Kenyans, however, the immediate reality is stark: higher fares, fewer transport options, and a daily struggle to keep moving.
Matatu Strike: CS Mbadi Accuses Transport Operators of Fighting Global Crisis with Local Action
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