Commuters in Kasarani, Nairobi found themselves stranded on Monday, January 13, as matatu operators went on strike.
The operators were protesting the poor state of the road from Kasarani to Mwiki, decrying huge potholes that are made worse by rains pounding the city.
They blocked the roads with tires, twigs and sticks before lighting huge fires rendering the road impassable.
The furious matatu crews were out on the roads as early as 6 a.m., with commuters surprised to discover that they would not be operating.
The heavy rains that pounded the city caused further confusion with chaotic scenes witnessed.
The road to Mwiki was barricaded around the Sunton Estate area with the matatu operators promising not to relent until their demands were met and the road fixed.
Commuters from the area were forced to walk all the way to Roysambu to board matatus to various destinations.
Boda Boda operators capitalised on the situation as they raised the fares significantly.
Bus booking mobile applications also sent out notifications informing commuters that rides for the Kasarani-Mwiki route were not available.
It is not the first time angry matatu operators have protested the state of the dilapidated road.
On December 19, 2019, a similar strike was witnessed as the operators demanded the roads be immediately repaired.
The road is characterised by ugly traffic snarl-ups during peak hours through the week.
