Nairobi woke up to a deception. Hours after union leaders announced the suspension of the nationwide matatu strike, the city’s arteries were clogged, commuters were stranded, and chaos reigned. The "suspension" was a mirage.

On the ground, the reality was a disorganized rebellion. Matatu operators, defying or unaware of the Federation of Public Transport Sector (FPTS) directive, blocked major highways, including Outering Road at Kariobangi. Burning tires and stone barricades replaced the usual morning rush, turning the capital’s transport network into a parking lot. The disconnect between the boardroom deal and the street-level anger is absolute.

The Anatomy of the Chaos

The strike was ostensibly called off on Sunday night after the FPTS agreed to dialogue with the government regarding security grievances and harassment by boda boda riders. However, the Motorists Association of Kenya accused the federation of betrayal, urging operators to down tools. The result was total confusion.

Thousands of Nairobians were left trekking to work, exposed to the elements and price-gouging by the few operating vehicles. "They tell us one thing on TV and do another on the road," complained a stranded nurse in Donholm. "We are the collateral damage in their war."

• The Trigger: Matatu crews claim they are under siege from extortionist gangs and rogue boda boda riders, with police doing little to intervene.
• The Split: The strike has exposed deep fractures within the transport unions, with leadership losing control of the rank and file.

A City Held Ransom

The disruption exposes Nairobi’s fragile reliance on the private matatu sector. When the vans stop, the city stops. The police have been deployed to clear the barricades, but the trust deficit between the operators and the state is widening.

As evening approaches, the question remains: who is actually in charge of Nairobi's public transport? Today, the answer was no one.