Nairobi’s transport system was thrown into disarray on the morning of Friday, August 29, 2025, after matatu operators staged a massive protest along Ngong Road. The demonstration, which began in the early hours, left thousands of commuters stranded as operators blocked both lanes of the busy highway.
The protesters parked their vehicles near Prestige Plaza, completely sealing off the road and creating gridlock that stretched for several kilometers.
Motorists were caught in the jam for hours, while many passengers were forced to walk long distances to reach their destinations. Pedestrians could be seen weaving through lines of parked vehicles, struggling to make their way through the blocked stretch.
According to the operators, the demonstration was sparked by what they described as constant harassment from police officers.
They accused law enforcement of targeting them unfairly and subjecting them to unnecessary penalties and intimidation while on duty.
To resolve the matter, the operators demanded an urgent meeting with senior officials from the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) and the police service.
Police officers were deployed to the scene in an attempt to control the situation and persuade the drivers to move their vehicles. However, the heavy presence of law enforcement did little to ease the chaos, as the blockade continued for hours. Authorities urged motorists to seek alternative routes, including Argwings Kodhek Road and Riara Road, to avoid the standstill.
Officials also advised both motorists and pedestrians to exercise caution when approaching the area, warning that the situation remained tense. Images and videos obtained by Newshub.co.ke showed long queues of vehicles packed tightly on the sides of the road, with frustrated drivers honking endlessly.
This incident on Ngong Road came just days after another transport crisis was witnessed in Nyeri town on August 25, 2025.
In that case, public service vehicle (PSV) operators, joined by business owners, staged protests against their forced relocation to the newly established Field Marshal Muthoni Kirima Bus Terminus.
In Nyeri, operators blocked several key roads, crippling movement across the town. Hundreds of passengers, including schoolchildren, were left stranded as operations were suspended as early as 6 a.m. Vehicles were parked across the town’s three main bus parks, paralyzing transport services throughout the day.
The protesting operators marched to the County Commissioner’s office, demanding his immediate intervention in the standoff. They argued that relocating to the new terminus would severely affect their businesses, reduce customer access, and threaten their livelihoods.
Although the Nyeri protest began peacefully, it later turned chaotic in certain areas. Reports indicated that at least three matatu owners suffered damage to their vehicles after windscreens were smashed while they attempted to carry passengers.
The unrest highlighted growing frustrations within the transport sector, with many operators accusing both county and national authorities of making decisions without properly consulting them.
The back-to-back protests in Nairobi and Nyeri reflect the deepening tensions between matatu operators and authorities, raising concerns about the stability of public transport services in Kenya.
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