Kenyans will not face a nationwide public transport shutdown next week after matatu operators officially called off their planned strike following talks with President William Ruto at State House in Mombasa.
The strike, which had been expected to resume on Monday, May 26, was suspended to allow room for negotiations over the rising cost of fuel and other concerns affecting the transport sector.
Speaking after the meeting on Friday, Federation of Public Transport Sector chairman Edwin Mukabana confirmed that the strike had now been fully called off.
Mukabana directed matatu owners, drivers and conductors across the country to resume normal operations immediately.
“I am announcing to all our members, especially our investors, drivers and conductors, that following our deliberations with His Excellency, the strike we had suspended has now been fully called off,” he said.
“We expect this to take immediate effect, and everyone should return their vehicles to the road,” he added.
This was after the president, William Ruto, had made an announcement of further reduction in diesel prices as a way of cushioning the transport sector.
Diesel in the city is set to be sold at a price of Kshs222.86 per litre. Kerosene is to be sold at a price of Kshs191.38, while super petrol shall be priced at Kshs214.25.
Previously, the transport operators had indicated their willingness to paralyze transport services across the country over the increasing fuel prices, which have been rendering it difficult to run businesses.
Apart from the rising fuel prices, the operators had also indicated dissatisfaction regarding the difficulties they were facing due to insurance challenges, and enforcement of the graffiti ban among public service vehicles.
After deliberations in the State House, the operators claimed to be satisfied by the government’s readiness to consider their grievances.
The move has been perceived to be a positive one since thousands of commuters were apprehensive of the possibility of the paralysis of services next week.
