Several schools across the country suspended classes on Monday, May 18, 2026, due to transport disruptions caused by nationwide protests over high fuel prices. The Kenya Private Schools Association (KPSA) has urged schools to take precautionary measures on Monday, May 18, 2026, due to planned matatu protests over the recent fuel price increase.
This comes after a coalition of transport sector players, including matatu owners, announced plans for a nationwide shutdown.
“Schools are advised to take precautionary measures to safeguard the safety and well-being of learners, staff, and parents in the event the strike affects movement and transport services across the country,” the KPSA statement read in part.
Additionally, the association advised respective schools to avoid routing transport through known high-congestion or disruption-prone areas within Nairobi, such as the CBD, Mombasa Road corridor, Thika Road (Githurai–Roysambu stretch), Jogoo Road, Ngong Road, and Industrial Area, during peak hours of the strike period.
Schools Closed Ahead Of Matatu Strike
A spot check by The Kenya Times found that some schools suspended learning on Monday, May 18, 2026, amid fears of disruption from the planned nationwide matatu strike.
In messages sent to parents and guardians, schools advised learners to remain at home, citing expected challenges affecting school buses and public transport used by teachers and staff. Some institutions said classes would not proceed even for learners who walk to school.
St Ann Junior School, Lubao, informed parents that uncertainty on the roads during the strike period made it difficult to guarantee the safety of learners and parents during transportation, and advised day scholars to resume classes on Tuesday, May 19, once normalcy returns.
“Following the planned transport sector strike scheduled for Monday, 18th May 2026, countrywide, the actual situation on our roads in the morning and evening is uncertain…It is on this basis that the school advises all day scholars to stay at home tomorrow and resume on Tuesday, 19th May 2026, upon resumption of normalcy,” the statement read.
Major Transport Disruptions on Key Roads From Matatu Protests
In a transport and mobility advisory dated May 17, 2026, Wells Fargo warned of possible nationwide transport disruptions that is likely to affect matatu, boda bodas, digital taxi services, cargo transport, and commuter operations across major towns and cities.
The advisory further noted that cargo and freight transport could face delays along major distribution routes, with commuters likely to experience pressure during morning peak hours and possible temporary fare increases by some operators.
Additionally, operators like Super Metro announced the suspension of operations due to the planned matatu strike.
In a public notice, the company said services would remain unavailable until further communication on resumption is issued.
Also Read: Breakdown of New Fuel Prices Across Kenya’s Major Towns After EPRA Hike
Areas expected to face major disruption include;
- Nairobi CBD commuter routes
- Thika Road corridor
- Waiyaki Way
- Mombasa Road
- Jogoo Road
- Nakuru–Nairobi highway
- Major transport terminals and bus stages nationwide
Police Assure Kenyans of Security Ahead of Planned Matatu Strike
The National Police Service has assured Kenyans of security ahead of the planned matatu strike scheduled for Monday, May 18, 2026.
Also Read: Boda Bodas, Taxis Join Nationwide Matatu Strike Over Fuel Hike
In a statement issued by the Office of the Inspector General, the police said they had noted reports of a planned strike involving a minority of matatu operators and sections of the public transport sector.
“The NPS wishes to assure Kenyans of their security as they go about their duties tomorrow. Security measures have been enhanced, and any disruptive conduct will be dealt with firmly and in accordance with the law,” NPS said in a statement.
The police noted that the majority of transport stakeholders had committed to continuing operations as usual, adding that the United Transport Association of Kenya had distanced itself from the planned strike in a separate statement.
NPS said security measures had been enhanced across the country and warned that any disruptive conduct would be handled firmly and in accordance with the law.
Kenyans were urged to remain calm, continue with normal activities, and cooperate with law enforcement officers, with the police also providing emergency and anonymous reporting channels for assistance.
The Ministry of Education had not given its official position on wheather learners should stay at home.
