Matatu crews accuse leaders of betrayal after nationwide strike is called off

A spot check by Citizen TV on Friday afternoon painted a bleak picture, with dozens of matatus still grounded at various stages as operators count heavy losses after more than three days off the road.

"Sisi hatujafurahia kwa sababu wamesitisha mgomo ilhali pesa hazifiki mfukoni gari zetu zinatumia mafuta mingi..hatujafurahia hata kidogo," Amos Nyakundi, a matatu operator in Kisii stated.

"Kwa maoni yetu hiyo ni kidogo nauli itasalia kuwa juu," Onesmus Kyalo, Chairman matatu owners association,Machakos added. 

The operators are now accusing their national leadership of betrayal, saying their key grievances over fuel hikes and rising operational costs have been ignored.

"Viongozi wetu naskia wamepewa kakitu wanaskizana na serikali sisi tunabaki tumeumia," Nyakundi noted.

Although transport is gradually resuming in some areas, Kisii operators say passengers are rejecting the revised fares, deepening losses and pushing many drivers and owners closer to financial collapse.

"Shillingi kumi kushukishwa sio kitu hata kidogo," Humprey Oyugi, a matatu operator in Kisii noted. 

Passengers have expressed disappointment with the deal reached between the government and transport stakeholders.

On Friday morning, public transport operators called off the strike following talks with President William Ruto, citing the need to prioritise economic stability. 

“I want to announce to all members that after these new deliberations we have had with the President, the strike that we had suspended has been called off fully and we are hoping that this will take immediate effect and the entire country will understand that there is an economy to save,” Federation of Public Transport Sector (FPTS) Chairperson Edwins Mukabanah stated. 

“As the transport sector, we are happy with what you have come up with and we will support the government. We have called off the strike; we had suspended the strike but we have called it off. We will not have a strike next week; we are going to work,” Matatu Owners Association (MOA) chairperson Albert Karakacha added. 

The announcement came shortly after President Ruto said the government will lower the price of diesel by Ksh.10 per litre in June, meaning the current pump prices will retail at Ksh.214.25 for Super Petrol, Ksh.222.86 for diesel and Ksh.191 for Kerosene.