Police have removed number plates and towed matatus that were blocking several streets in Nairobi’s Central Business District during the ongoing nationwide matatu strike.
Images and videos seen by Kenyans.co.ke show armed police officers, some carrying teargas canisters, removing number plates as they moved to restore normal traffic flow in the CBD.
Once the plates were removed, the vehicles were towed from the city centre and taken to various police stations within Nairobi.
Police Tow Matatus, Remove Number Plates as Strike Disrupts Nairobi CBD. Photo: Courtesy.
The removal of number plates is a standard enforcement measure used by traffic police and the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) to immobilise vehicles found flouting traffic regulations.
Matatus whose number plates were removed will be barred from operating until they are recovered, with owners expected to pay substantial fines before the vehicles are cleared.
Several major routes across Nairobi were affected by the protests, including Outering Road at the Kariobangi Roundabout, sections of Tom Mboya Street, and Ronald Ngara Street within the CBD.
Waiyaki Way was also blocked, disrupting travel for commuters heading toward Uthiru, Kabete, Kinoo, Kikuyu, Nakuru, and parts of Western Kenya, and causing significant delays.
Motorists on Thika Superhighway experienced severe congestion after operators barricaded sections of the road using buses and stones.
The nationwide strike, announced on January 28, was triggered by claims that the government had failed to adequately address hostility and insecurity facing public transport operators.
