Kenya's public transport sector has been brought back from the brink after matatu operators officially called off their planned strike following direct talks with President William Ruto in Mombasa on Friday, May 22.
The announcement was made at State House, Mombasa, following high-level discussions with the President over operators' concerns about rising fuel costs. Federation of Public Transport Sector chair Edwin Mukabana directed investors, drivers, and conductors to immediately return vehicles to the roads.
The crisis had been building for days. The Transport Sector Alliance had organised a two-day nationwide strike, with operators demanding a significant reduction in fuel prices, citing increased operating expenses. Taxes and levies currently account for approximately 46% of retail fuel prices, a burden operators said was unsustainable.
The government had reduced diesel prices by Sh10.06 per litre and initiated negotiations with sector representatives, though operators initially rejected the concession, insisting it fell short of their demands.
A seven-day suspension of the strike had been brokered by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, paving the way for Friday's resolution.
Commuters across the country can now expect normal services to resume, though analysts warn the underlying fuel pricing tensions remain unresolved.
The announcement was made at State House, Mombasa, following high-level discussions with the President over operators' concerns about rising fuel costs. Federation of Public Transport Sector chair Edwin Mukabana directed investors, drivers, and conductors to immediately return vehicles to the roads.
The crisis had been building for days. The Transport Sector Alliance had organised a two-day nationwide strike, with operators demanding a significant reduction in fuel prices, citing increased operating expenses. Taxes and levies currently account for approximately 46% of retail fuel prices, a burden operators said was unsustainable.
The government had reduced diesel prices by Sh10.06 per litre and initiated negotiations with sector representatives, though operators initially rejected the concession, insisting it fell short of their demands.
A seven-day suspension of the strike had been brokered by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, paving the way for Friday's resolution.
Commuters across the country can now expect normal services to resume, though analysts warn the underlying fuel pricing tensions remain unresolved.
