The matatu strike scheduled for Monday, February 2, 2026, has been suspended following consultations between key public transport stakeholders and security agencies.
In a joint update issued on Sunday, February 1, the Federation of Public Transport Sector (FPTS) announced that representatives of matatu, boda boda, and public service vehicle (PSV) operators, as well as security agencies, had agreed to call off the planned industrial action to allow dialogue to continue.
As a result, public transport services will operate as usual on Monday.
Matatus to Resume Operations
According to the statement, the decision was reached after consultations aimed at creating space for engagement among all affected parties.
The suspension applies to the planned matatu strike in protest of unresolved issues affecting the public transport industry.
The FPTS said the consultations involved representatives of boda boda operators, PSV operators, and security agencies, who jointly agreed that halting the strike would provide an opportunity to pursue discussions toward an amicable solution.
The federation noted that dialogue remains ongoing and is focused on addressing concerns raised by operators across different transport segments.
In its notice, the FPTS further indicated that additional consultations have been agreed upon and will involve a broader group of stakeholders.
These include representatives of private vehicle owners, freight vehicle operators, coach operators, matatu operators, the National Police Service and the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA).
“It was agreed that further consultations shall be done between representatives of Private Vehicle Owners, Freight Vehicle Operators, Coach Operators, Matatu Operators, National Police Service, and National Transport and Safety Authority with a view of reaching an amicable solution,” read part of the statement.
Also Read: Matatu Set on Fire in the Middle of Highway After Fatal Accident
The federation said the consultations are being conducted to resolve outstanding issues through engagement rather than confrontation.
Depressed Matatu Operators
Matatu operators are threatening to strike mainly over what they describe as the government’s failure to protect their vehicles and enforce the law following a surge in violent attacks on public service vehicles.
The immediate trigger is a sharp rise in incidents in which matatus, buses, trucks, and private cars have been torched by mobs, often involving boda boda riders, after road accidents.
In several cases reported in January 2026, vehicles were set on fire in broad daylight along major highways and in urban areas, including Juja Road, the Thika Superhighway, and the Nairobi–Nakuru highway.
Operators say these attacks have caused losses running into millions of shillings.
Matatu owners, through the Matatu Owners Association and allied transport groups, say they have repeatedly reported these incidents to the police, the Interior Ministry, and transport authorities, but little action has been taken.
Also Read: Ministry Issues Statement After Teachers and Learner Killed in Separate Road Accidents
They complain that arrests are rare, investigations are slow, and perpetrators are not being prosecuted, creating what they call a culture of impunity on the roads.
Fear and Insurance Concerns by Matatu Operators
A major concern raised by operators is that many boda boda motorcycles involved in mob attacks are uninsured.
When a matatu or bus is burned, owners are often unable to recover losses through insurance or compensation, leaving them to absorb the full cost of destroyed vehicles.
Operators argue that this exposes investors and drivers to unacceptable financial risk.
Transport leaders have also cited growing insecurity and fear among drivers and passengers.
They say drivers are increasingly reluctant to operate in areas where mob justice has become common, while passengers risk being trapped in violent confrontations following accidents.
According to operator groups, this has made normal operations unsustainable.
Another grievance is an imbalance in enforcement, as operators describe it.
They argue that while matatus are heavily regulated, taxed, and routinely inspected by authorities such as the NTSA, enforcement against violent road users has been weak.
Operators point out that the transport sector is a major taxpayer through fuel levies, licence fees, and other charges, yet they feel abandoned when their property is attacked.
Some operator groups have warned that continued inaction could push them to withdraw services entirely, saying they cannot operate under “mob rule”.
Follow our WhatsApp Channel and X Account for real-time news updates.
