Police Remove Number Plates, Tow Matatus in CBD Protests
The removal of number plates means that the vehicles will not be able to operate legally, and vehicle owners have to pay fines to have their plates back...
✨ Key Highlights
Police in Nairobi CBD responded to a nationwide matatu strike by removing number plates and towing vehicles that were blocking streets. Officers used tear gas to disperse protestors, as they worked to restore normal traffic flow.
- Police removed number plates from vehicles blocking routes such as Outering Road, Thika Superhighway, and Waiyaki Way.
- The strike, announced on January 28, was initiated by matatu operators protesting increasing vehicle-burning incidents by Boda boda operators.
- The Motorist Association of Kenya (MAK) reported that at least nine vehicles have been torched, representing millions of shillings in losses.
- The Federation of Public Transport Sector (FPTS) suspended the strike on Sunday, January 31, for dialogue.
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Matatu Strike Paralyzes Transport in Nairobi and Major Towns - February 2026
Chaos erupted on Monday, February 2, 2026, across Nairobi and other major Kenyan towns as a significant portion of the matatu industry went on strike, leaving thousands of commuters stranded. Matatu operators have vowed to continue their strike every Monday until President William Ruto addresses their grievances regarding what they term as increasing lawlessness by boda boda operators. The operators, who were also on strike on January 28, are demanding a direct meeting with the president. In response to the protests, police in Nairobi's Central Business District removed number plates and towed matatus that were blocking streets. Officers also used tear gas to disperse protestors as they worked to restore normal traffic flow.
