Matatu operators in Kenya have outlined measures that they will take so as to end rising cases of boda-boda riders who have been setting ablaze vehicles on the roads.
Under the Matatu Owners Association, the operators said the government has addressed the situation even when the perpetrators are known.
Joseph Kagai, the chairman for Intercorridor Mobility said the situation is slowly becoming uncontrollable yet the matatu sector is paying taxes on a daily basis through fuel levy and other areas.
“From Monday we will make sure all major towns and cities and roundabouts in the country will have no passing until the government addresses. We have not seen any arrests,” Kagai said
He also warned that if the matter will not be addressed, they will be forced to find a way of dealing with it including recruiting youths to guard their vehicles.
They said cases of riders torching matatus, trucks and private vehicles started last year forcing them to reach out to NTSA, Transport and Interior Cabinet Secretaries but no one has responded.
“We have written to the Minister for Transport, there is nothing which is happening that is why we have decided from Monday, we are going to remove our vehicles from roads all over the country,” Karakacha said
Adding that, “We are going to withdraw all our vehicles from business because the government is supposed to protect our business. But there is no protection,”
From January 2026, the operators said at least nine vehicles have been torched in various parts of the country by the boda-boda riders but claim not even one person has been arrested.
For this reason, they said the remaining option is for them to form a rival group to face off with the boda-boda riders unless President Ruto steps out to address the problem.
