Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has dismissed the planned matatu strike, terming it unnecessary and warning against linking Kenya’s transport disruptions to global geopolitical tensions.
Speaking during an interview on NTV’s Fixing the Nation, Mbadi said the country should not be dragged into bearing the economic effects of conflicts it has no control over, pointing to rising global tensions as a misplaced justification for local industrial action.
“The matatu strike is completely uncalled for. Why are we trying to solve a global problem using domestic means? We have not caused the US–Iran war,” he said.
His remarks come as public transport operators threaten to withdraw services, citing rising fuel costs and increasing operational expenses that have squeezed profit margins and triggered fare hikes across major towns.
The matatu sector, which carries millions of commuters daily, has in recent months faced mounting pressure from fluctuating fuel prices, regulatory demands and taxation concerns.
Operators argue that these challenges have made it increasingly difficult to sustain operations without passing the burden to passengers.
However, Mbadi maintained that shutting down transport services would only hurt ordinary Kenyans and disrupt economic activity.
He urged industry players to pursue dialogue instead of strikes, noting that repeated transport disruptions have in the past left commuters stranded, slowed business operations and intensified traffic congestion in urban areas.
The CS said the government remains focused on stabilising the economy through internal reforms and regional cooperation, particularly in managing fuel pricing and supply.
He emphasized that Kenya’s economic challenges require structured policy solutions rather than reactionary measures tied to international events.
The standoff highlights a familiar cycle between the government and matatu operators, where rising fuel costs often trigger threats of strikes and fare increases.
It also reflects the broader impact of global oil market shifts on local economies, with Kenya, like many import-dependent countries, feeling the ripple effects of international conflicts and supply disruptions.
As tensions build, commuters once again find themselves caught between operators pushing for relief and a government urging restraint, raising fresh questions about long-term solutions to the country’s recurring transport crises.
