Police and transport sector leaders have held crisis talks in Nairobi to avert a threatened nationwide matatu strike scheduled for Monday, February 2, 2026, following escalating violence between matatu operators and boda boda riders.

The meeting held on Friday, January 30, 2026, came in response to a wave of incidents where matatus have been torched by boda boda riders following accidents, prompting matatu operators to threaten industrial action over what they describe as boda boda impunity.

Police vow maximum security

Speaking during the session, Nairobi Police Commander George Seda warned against taking the law into one’s own hands, pointing out that torching vehicles complicates compensation claims and investigation processes.

“It is not right to take the law into your hands, imagine you’ve had an accident. You also torch the vehicle. Now, maybe they say that that’s the procedure of investigations, and you would have gotten compensation through insurance. Where are we now going to get this compensation?” Seda stated.

He emphasised that torching vehicles leaves victims worse off, even in cases where injuries are involved.

“The number plate that was involved in the accident, you’ve now torched it. You are still going to be languishing as a victim. Even if you were hit and your leg was broken, and you torched the vehicle. How are we going to make you okay now?” he asked.

The police commander assured matatu operators of maximum security deployment to prevent any disruptions.

“In the presence of the CEO and the matatu team, we don’t expect it to happen, but others who might not be adhering to the teamwork we’ve agreed upon here, my security will be spread all over as usual. Maximumly. No fear. We shall wake up and transact normally. Our work as we should do it,” he said.

Reform pledge

Boda Boda Safety Association president Kevin Mubadi, President of the Boda Boda Safety Association, acknowledged that the sector has been responsible for recent vehicle torching incidents and called for reform.

He noted that torching of vehicles was not representative of the wider boda boda community.

“This Boda Boda sector has been reformed. These incidents started, I don’t know when, last year we started torching people’s vehicles. But all along we had finished torching the vehicles of Kenyans,” Mubadi stated.

He thanked Boda Boda leaders for engaging in dialogue and called for restraint and cooperation.

“I want to thank the good Boda Boda riders and the leaders. I want to thank them for leaving their jobs to come and stay here so that we see which way forward are we taking,” he said.

Mubadi further appealed for compliance and behavioural change within the sector.

“Let’s comply. Let’s change our face. Please let’s be good people so that one day even we can be told that boda boda people reformed and became good people. And the reason why we have this organisation is to harmonise things so we can walk on the same road,” he added.

Matatu operators demand action

However, matatu operators voiced frustration, accusing the government of failing to protect them despite repeated attacks. Matatu Welfare Association vice chairperson John Katimbwa said operators felt abandoned.

“Our lamentation or our pain is that we are being wronged and we don’t see the government being accountable because we have an Interior CS who’s meant to protect Kenyans. Are we exceptional?” Katimbwa questioned.

Call for unity

Federation of Public Transport Sector chief executive Kushian Muchiri urged unity between matatu crews and boda boda riders, saying the two sectors depend on each other.

“The law is purely against assault of any nature. We have come to help each other because where I drop passengers is where boda boda picks them up. And where I pick up is where boda boda has brought them. Unity is strength. Let’s help each other, let’s be together, let’s move together,” Muchiri stated.