Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has announced the suspension of the ongoing nationwide matatu strike for one week to allow for consultations and negotiations between the government and transport sector stakeholders.
In a statement, CS Murkomen said: “The strike that is ongoing is suspended for one week to provide an avenue for consultation and negotiation between the government and stakeholders.”
The suspension follows days of disruption caused by the strike, which was called by matatu operators, truckers, and boda boda riders in protest against recent fuel price hikes announced by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA).
The increases pushed diesel and petrol prices to record levels, triggering widespread chaos, protests, loss of lives, injuries, and arrests.The announcement comes after a dramatic moment during a live government press briefing led by Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi.
Kaunda, who went viral for his “With all due respect” confrontation, clarified that after hours of meetings, the transport sector had not accepted the government’s proposals on fuel price adjustments. He emphasized that no final deal was in place and that operators were standing firm on their demands.
During todays presser with Murkomen, Kaunda said that he agreed with the one-week suspension, urging operators to resume normal services in the interest of the country while warning that the strike would resume if negotiations fail to yield satisfactory results. He stressed the need to “put the nation first” but maintained pressure on the government regarding fuel costs.
The strike had brought much of Kenya’s public transport to a near standstill, with commuters forced to walk long distances or pay inflated fares where services were available. Protests turned violent in some areas, leading to property damage and confrontations with security forces.
CS Murkomen and other government officials have previously accused opposition politicians of fueling the unrest for political gain. The one-week window is now seen as a cooling-off period aimed at de-escalating tensions and finding a lasting solution to the fuel pricing dispute.