Leaders in the public transport sector have dismissed claims that they received money to suspend the recently announced nationwide matatu strike, insisting the decision followed extensive consultations with government officials over rising fuel prices and taxation concerns.
Forward Travellers Chairman Paul Thiong’o said the suspension was reached in good faith after transport stakeholders held high-level discussions with officials from the Interior Ministry, Transport Ministry, Petroleum Ministry, and Nairobi County government.
According to Thiong’o, matatu operators had pushed for the convening of a special parliamentary sitting to address fuel taxation, arguing that reducing or waiving some taxes would provide lasting relief to the transport sector and commuters.
“We have been trying to drive our point that the legislation is there, that it is a question of calling a special sitting to lower the petrol prices so that taxes can be reduced or waived,” he said.
Thiong’o dismissed allegations circulating on social media that transport leaders had allegedly received Sh10.5 million to call off the strike.
“Some people have been claiming that we received Sh10.5 million to call off the strike. That is not true. What convinced us was partly the government’s move to reduce fuel prices by Sh10 even before we officially called off the strike. That gave us some confidence that there was at least some goodwill,” he stated.
He explained that the negotiations were conducted through representatives from the sector, saying it would not have been practical to include hundreds of operators in the talks.
The transport sector leader further revealed that officials informed them President William Ruto was expected back in the country later in the week, after which further consultations on the matter would continue.
Thiong’o said part of the delegation’s confidence stemmed from assurances given during the talks by Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, whom he described as a guarantor in the discussions.
However, he acknowledged concerns within the sector over whether enough binding commitments had been secured, noting that the legal authority to adjust taxes rests with Parliament despite political influence often shaping policy direction.
“We understand that the legal process is about the legislative power to convene meetings and discuss the matter,” he added.
Thiong’o also defended the decision to suspend the strike, saying previous fuel price interventions announced by the Executive had later been formalized through parliamentary processes.
On reports that matatu operators had significantly increased fares, he clarified that adjustments had only risen by about 20 per cent, arguing that operators were grappling with additional daily operational costs ranging between Sh4,000 and Sh5,000 per vehicle due to high fuel prices.
He maintained that the fare adjustments were intended to cushion operators from rising expenses and not to overburden commuters while awaiting a long-term government solution.
