On Monday morning, thousands of residents in Nairobi County were stranded when the Matatu Owners Association (MOA) withdrew their vehicles from the roads to protest the high cost of fuel.
Major routes, including Thika Road, Ngong Road, Jogoo Road and Mombasa Road, are usually busy in the morning with people rushing to work in various parts of the capital city.
However, on Monday, the situation was completely different. Public service vehicles plying the routes kept off the roads, leaving passengers stranded.
Traffic flowing along Thika road in Nairobi after matatu operators withdrew their vehicles to protest over the rising fuel prices on May 18, 2026.
Photo credit: Evans Habil | Nation Media Group
However, the strike turned into something else unexpected. By 9am, some of the bus stops along Ngong Road and Thika Road were crime scenes, as thugs took advantage of what was supposed to be a peaceful demonstration.
Innocent Kenyans were being robbed, and private vehicles were being pelted with stones by the goons.
When I got to the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD) it looked like a ghost town as businesses remained closed throughout the day.
I was immediately deployed to check on the situation along Thika Road alongside NTV reporter Labaan Shaaban, NTV videographer Luis Ngari, Daily Nation cameraman Evans Habil, and our driver Bernard Magara.
Stranded passengers along Thika Road during protests against the rising fuel prices on May 18, 2026.
Photo credit: Evans Habil | Nation Media Group
Thika Road turned out to be a gathering point for thugs who erected barriers from Roysambu all the way to Juja Town. Motorists were being forced to pay between Sh400 and Sh1,000 to be allowed to pass through, and then a similar amount at the next barrier, which was about 100m away.
“You cannot pass here without paying the money. We will guarantee you safe passage to the next barrier if you pay the toll fee. No, we are not negotiating, either cash or through M-Pesa,” one of the goons shouted at us as we patrolled the highway to update Kenyans about the situation.
They were so daring or foolish that they would share their phone numbers. They would only open the barriers once they had confirmed the payment.
“Received, let’s go. We know you're from the media, but we are also looking for something to eat. The strike has stopped us from going to work today, so this is the only way,” one said.
At the intersection of the Northern and Eastern Bypass in Ruiru, we were ambushed and attacked by thugs who stole some of our equipment.
Protesters burn tyres in Kitengela during protests against the rising fuel prices on May 18, 2026.
Photo credit: Dennis Onsongo | Nation Media Group
However, some people who appeared to be aware of the role of the media helped to escort us out of the hotspot and to Kihunguro Police Station, where we reported the matter.
Some other areas also witnessed violence and destruction of property. In Githurai, a vehicle was set on fire by thugs who threatened the owner despite her begging them to let her pass.
Riot police officers deployed appeared to be overwhelmed by the gangs who had gathered in different locations and were playing cat-and-mouse games.
Some of the shops and buildings around Githurai were vandalised, prompting the police to lob tear gas cannisters to disperse the rowdy crowd.
According to Matatu Owners Association (MOA) national chairperson Albert Karakacha, the strike will continue on Tuesday until the time when the government accedes to their demands and lowers the cost of fuel.
