Matatu operators across Kenya have threatened to suspend services on February 2, 2026, citing rising cases of boda-boda riders torching vehicles involved in road accidents.
Speaking on Tuesday, representatives of the Matatu Owners Association (MOA) accused rogue boda-boda operators of increasingly targeting matatus, claiming that the attacks endanger lives, destroy property, and disrupt public transport.
The operators expressed frustration with the government, saying their repeated pleas for stricter enforcement against violent riders have largely gone unheeded. “We have reported these incidents to the authorities numerous times, but the attacks continue unabated. Our members’ safety and livelihoods are at stake,” a MOA official said.
The association warned that unless immediate action is taken, matatu services in major towns and rural areas could grind to a halt, affecting millions of commuters who rely on public transport daily.
The MOA also called for heightened police patrols, stricter licensing of boda-boda riders, and speedy prosecution of offenders to restore confidence and safety in the public transport sector.
This comes amid growing concerns over rising road violence involving boda-boda riders, a trend that has sparked public debate on the need for better regulation and enforcement of traffic laws to protect commuters and transport operators alike.