Equity Bank has announced early closure of some of its branches on Monday, May 18, 2026, following disruptions caused by the ongoing nationwide matatu strike.
In a message sent to customers, the bank said select branches would close at 2:00 p.m., citing transport challenges affecting movement across the country.
“Dear Member, some branches will close today, 2pm due to transport disruption,” read the message seen by one of our reporters.
Under normal operating schedules, Equity Bank branches close at 5:00 p.m.
The bank urged its customers to access ther accounts via code *247#, Equitel, Equity Mobile/Online and Equity agents.
The early closure comes amid transport disruptions in several parts of the country, with reports of road blockades, burning tyres and confrontations between protesters and police as matatu operators staged demonstrations over rising fuel prices.
The nationwide strike was called by the Transport Alliance umbrella body, which brings together matatu operators and members of the Truckers Association of Kenya, in protest against recent fuel price hikes.
The group has accused the government and the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) of imposing what it described as “sharp and unjustified” fuel price increases that have worsened the cost of living.
The transport disruption also affected learning in some areas, with several schools reportedly advising parents to keep children at home due to uncertainty over transport availability and safety concerns.
Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi said the government is considering additional measures to cushion Kenyans from rising fuel costs and will review the situation once President William Ruto returns from an official visit to Azerbaijan.
“We can only hope that this war will end, but even as we hope, we must make certain decisions. I am sure the government will sit again once the President returns to assess what more can be done,” Mbadi said.
“If we were to leave the prices without any intervention, diesel today would be costing not less than Sh35 more, and petrol would be costing over Sh70 more,” he added.
Mbadi, however, termed the strike unnecessary despite acknowledging the burden of high fuel prices on Kenyans.
“In my view, the matatu strike is completely uncalled for, even though the prices of fuel have gone up. My concern is that we are trying to solve a global problem by applying domestic means, which is not appropriate,” he said.
Meanwhile, Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro has called for an emergency parliamentary sitting to deliberate on proposals aimed at reducing fuel prices.
Email your news TIPS to Editor@Kahawatungu.com — this is our only official communication channel
