Protests In Nairobi CBD By Matatu Operators Over Parking Space Evictions
In an apparent protest, matatu operators blocked critical routes in Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD), rendering sections of the roads unusable.
This was the second wave of demonstrations in less than two weeks, as operators parked their trucks in the middle of Moi Avenue to protest their removal from allocated parking areas and stages in the CBD.
In the images and videos posted on X, many buses halted on Moi Avenue near Kencom, impeding traffic and causing other cars to seek alternate routes.
Matatu operators block roads in protest of eviction from parking and stages in Nairobi CBD
— The Standard Digital (@StandardKenya) February 10, 2025
Video By Vera Moraa pic.twitter.com/NXr8jUjPdT
Despite belonging to separate SACCOs, the matatu operators appeared to be united in their demonstration, claiming that they had no alternative parking locations for their vehicles.
While the protests were mostly nonviolent, police battled to maintain order when operators arrived in huge numbers with their trucks.
As a result of the strike, areas of Moi Avenue, particularly around Kencom and the Ambassador neighborhood, became impassable.
Matatu operators in Nairobi CBD block sections of Moi Avenue for the second time in two weeks, parking their vehicles in the middle of the road to protest their eviction from designated parking spots and stages. pic.twitter.com/zP52q3NeC5
— Cyprian, Is Nyakundi (@C_NyaKundiH) February 10, 2025
The PSVs that are blocking the road are thought to be operating on the Ngong Road/Kawangware, Utawala, Buruburu, Ngong, and Pipeline/Donholm routes.
This was the latest wave of demonstrations by PSV operators in Nairobi’s central business district, following a recent stalemate with hawkers.
On January 30, matatu operators blocked major highways in protest of the county government’s intention to allot parking spaces to hawkers in order to free up pedestrian pathways on congested streets.
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja’s effort to relocate hawkers to backstreets occurred at the expense of matatu operators.
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The operators rely extensively on these regions for passenger pickup and drop-off.
Sakaja explicitly identified Moi Avenue, Haile Selassie Avenue, Kenneth Matiba Road, Latema Road, Ronald Ngala Street, Mfangano Street, Hakati Road, and River Road as hawker-free zones.
At the time, a temporary solution was reached during mediation meetings between the two sides, coordinated by Mobility’s Chief Officer, Michael Waikenda.
However, the cordial truce appears to have been short-lived, as matatu operators continue to claim that their operations have been hampered by their inability to acquire appropriate parking spaces in the CBD.
Protests In Nairobi CBD By Matatu Operators Over Parking Space Evictions
