Nairobi residents woke up to a day filled with uncertainty and anxiety as a nationwide strike by Public Service Vehicles (PSVs) and planned countrywide protests by Azimio la Umoja – One Kenya Coalition loomed over the city.

Many Nairobians who rely on public transport were concerned about how they would commute to and from work if matatu operators followed through with their threat to keep their vehicles off the roads.

In addition, the planned protests by Azimio la Umoja further heightened the sense of unease among the residents, following the Saba Saba protests that took place the previous Friday.

However, a spot-check of the city from as early as 6 am revealed that the situation was not as dire as expected, with PSVs operating on various city routes.

At the Khoja Mosque bus stop in the CBD, matatus from different routes were busy picking up commuters heading to Kabete and Parklands, while others were disembarking to rush to work.

Similarly, at Kencom and Odeon bus stops, buses operating different routes continued with their usual operations. Some drivers and touts mentioned that they were awaiting instructions from their respective sacco management regarding the strike.

However, several traders and businesspeople decided to stay away from the city in the early hours of the morning when the CBD is typically bustling with activity. Many shops remained closed, with only a few hawkers in sight, and taxi bays were deserted.

To maintain order, there was a heavy presence of anti-riot police officers and county inspectorate officers on several roads within the CBD.

As the day progressed, Nairobians remained cautious, uncertain of how the situation would evolve throughout the day. The combination of the matatu strike and planned protests created a sense of disruption and apprehension within the city.