MOMBASA, Kenya—Transport and business activities across Mombasa and the wider Coast region ground to a complete halt on Monday as matatu operators enforced a total shutdown in solidarity with the nationwide strike over soaring fuel prices and heavy taxation.
Major roads remained deserted throughout the day, with no matatus operating in Mombasa’s Central Business District and surrounding estates, leaving thousands of commuters stranded and forcing many workers and students to walk long distances.
The usually vibrant Mombasa CBD witnessed reduced human and vehicle traffic as businesses suffered major disruptions due to the absence of workers and customers.
Students were among the hardest hit, with many learners seen trekking to schools from early morning after public transport vanished from the roads following the strike directive that took effect Sunday midnight.
Tension escalated along the Bombolulu–Lights–Nyali Bridge route after some matatus allegedly attempted to resume operations towards the CBD. Witnesses said drivers were warned to immediately remove their vehicles from the roads or risk having them burnt by groups enforcing the shutdown.
Similar scenes played out across Kilifi, Kwale, Lamu, Taita Taveta and Tana River, where transport operations remained paralysed for the better part of the day.
In Changamwe, a group of youths briefly blocked the airport road at the Changamwe Roundabout leading to the Moi International Airport before anti-riot police dispersed them.
Coast Matatu Owners Association Coordinator and Second Vice Chairperson Salim Mbarack Salim insisted there would be no turning back until the government addresses the grievances raised by transport operators.
“We are joining the entire country in this nationwide strike. From Sunday midnight, no matatu should be on the road,” Mbarack said.
He accused the government of overtaxing petroleum products and pushing transport operators and ordinary Kenyans into deeper economic hardship through relentless fuel price hikes.
The Coast shutdown mirrored similar disruptions across the country, including in Nairobi, Kisumu, Nakuru and Eldoret, where thousands of commuters were stranded after matatus, buses and taxis stayed off the roads.
Transport stakeholders say the strike will continue until the government intervenes on rising fuel prices and the high cost of doing business, raising fears of prolonged economic disruption if the standoff persists.
