The national transport strike entered its second day on Tuesday, leaving roads largely deserted and paralysing public transport across Nairobi and other parts of the country.
A spot-check within Nairobi's Central Business District revealed that major streets, usually busy termini, and matatu stages were eerily empty as most shops stayed shut amid security patrols.
Hundreds of commuters were left stranded, forcing many to walk long distances or rely on costly motorbike services.
One Kawangware resident lamented paying double his normal fare to get to town, only to find shops closed and himself short on return fare.
Another resident, Protus Oundo, resorted to cycling from Utawala to the CBD before sunrise, urging elected leaders to listen to the struggles of ordinary citizens.
The paralysis extended beyond the capital city.
Videos showed the Thika Superhighway unusually empty, with similar situations reported in Kitengela and Ruiru, where protesters blocked roads and burned tyres.
Police reported four deaths, 30 injuries, and multiple arrests linked to the unrest since Monday. However, normalcy returned to Mombasa's Port City, where public service vehicles operated without disruption.
In downtown Nairobi, a few matatus along Accra Road defied the boycott to wait for passengers heading to Central Kenya, while some taxi operators turned their vehicles into temporary public service vehicles at the Kencom stage.
The transport sector hardened its stance despite a revised fuel pricing structure announced by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority, running from May 19 to June 14, 2026.
Following a meeting with government officials led by Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi and Roads and Transport CS Davis Chirchir, diesel prices were reduced by Sh10.06 per litre.
In Nairobi, super petrol, diesel, and kerosene will retail at Sh214.25, Sh232.86, and Sh191.38 respectively, with kerosene rising sharply by Sh38.60 per litre.
Matatu Owners Association chairperson Albert Karakacha insisted the strike would continue until fuel prices are further reduced, stating that operators are losing money and cannot pay their loans.
"We have not agreed on anything. We know that the Ministry of Energy could reduce fuel by Sh46," he said, adding that the government has other resources to cushion the cost.
Association of Matatu Transport Owners chair Kushian Muchiri noted that while operators agreed on bringing diesel and kerosene prices closer to parity to prevent fuel adulteration, they remained deadlocked on the overall diesel price.
"In the meantime, it is our request that all our drivers and owners of vehicles continue keeping their vehicles at home," Muchiri said, though he urged operators to avoid rioting while awaiting further engagement.
Public reaction on social media echoed the frustration of the transport sector.
On X, users argued that the sharp increase in kerosene outweighed the minor reduction in diesel, questioning whether the pricing review factored in the survival of vulnerable Kenyans.