Kajiado north: Residents of the Matasia and Kiserian areas in Kajiado North today faced significant transport disruptions as a nationwide strike by matatu operators continues. The strike is in protest of the unprecedented increase in fuel prices, which has led to a near-complete shutdown of public service vehicles in the region.
According to Kenya News Agency, the usually bustling Ngong-Kiserian road saw minimal activity, with public transport largely absent for most of the day. Although a few matatus were operational during early morning hours, they withdrew by 7:00 a.m., leaving many commuters stranded. Those matatus that did operate doubled their fares, charging Sh80 from Matasia to Ngong, a steep rise from the previous Sh40 fare before the spike in fuel prices.
With the unavailability of matatus, residents turned to boda bodas as an alternative, though at increased costs. A single ride from Matasia to Ngong now costs Sh250, and a trip from Matasia to Kiserian costs Sh200. Boda boda operators reported that despite the heightened demand, business has declined, as many residents cannot afford the high transport costs and have opted to stay home.
Fuel prices at local stations, such as Baystar Fuel Station in Matasia, have risen to Sh214.25 per litre of petrol and Sh242.92 per litre of diesel. In response, some roads leading to Kiserian Town were barricaded with stones by protesting matatu operators and motorcyclists, bringing commercial activities to a halt.
Commuters like Cyrus Mwangi, who were hoping to travel from Kiserian to Ngong, faced increased fares from Sh50 to Sh70 due to the fuel price hike. He expressed his frustration, noting the strike’s impact on his ability to open his shop in Ngong Town, which is his primary source of income.
Other residents shared similar concerns. Catherine Wanjiru, who walked from Nalepo to Kiserian due to the absence of transport, urged the government to resolve the fuel crisis to allow businesses to resume normal operations. Simon Mbugua, a trader at Kiserian Market, highlighted concerns about potential increases in food prices due to higher production and distribution costs driven by rising fuel prices.
The matatu industry, a critical mode of transport for millions of Kenyans, has frequently struggled with operational challenges during sharp fuel price increases, leading to fare hikes and industrial actions. Residents hope for government intervention to reduce fuel prices and restore normal transport services.
The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) recently announced a price increase to Sh242 per litre for diesel and Sh214 for petrol, exacerbating the situation.
