Matatu strike called off for one week to allow for fuel price negotiations

Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kipchumba Murkomen announced on Tuesday that the agreement had been reached after an hours-long meeting between the government and transport operators.

He said that both parties agreed to have "high-level" negotiations until Tuesday, May 26, to meet the reduction demands of fuel prices.

"The government remains fully committed to address concerns raised by Kenyans and calls for peaceful and legal means for airing their grievances," he said.

Likewise, Energy CS Opiyo Wandayi said that the government is committed to achieving an amicable solution to the soaring fuel prices, revealing that billions have been pumped in subsidies over the last two price review cycles to cushion Kenyans.

"On subsidy alone between last month and this month, the government has applied Ksh.13.9 billion to manage the cost of petroleum products," he said.

"Last night's reduction of Ksh.10 on diesel took Ksh.2.7 billion to demonstrate that the government continues to be sensitive on the plight of Kenyans and that will continue to be the commitment."

He was referring to Monday's review, which saw diesel reducing by Ksh.10.06 per litre while kerosene increased by Ksh.38.60, with super petrol remaining unchanged. 

Super petrol, diesel and kerosene now retail at Ksh.214.25, Ksh.232.86 and Ksh.191.38 per litre, respectively, effective midnight to June 14.

Confirming the strike call-off, Federation of Public Transport Sector (FPTS) CEO Kushian Muchiri urged all operators to resume business as they await the final decision after the negotiation period.

"We are glad that negotiations have started in earnest. I urge our drivers and conductors to resume operations immediately so that we can be able to assist Kenyans to run their normal activities," he said.

"Within the next 7 days, we shall have done our best in the negotiations."

Another stakeholder, however, said that welcoming negotiations does not mean that their agitation to lower the prices has ended, warning that the strike will continue if the talks fail to bear fruit.

"We would like to let the customers and those we work with understand that if this is not taken seriously within the 7 days the strike will be back," he said.

Public transport services were frozen from Monday as operators took to the streets demanding the reduction of fuel prices.

The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) had previously reviewed the cost of Super Petrol and Diesel up by Ksh.16.65 and Ksh.46.29 per litre, respectively, while the price of Kerosene remained unchanged.

This meant that Super Petrol, Diesel and Kerosene would retail at Ksh.214.25, Ksh.242.92 and Ksh.152.78.

Major roads remained closed and some school activities also remained paralysed.

The protests were however infiltrated by violent gangs who looted businesses, destroyed property worth millions across the country and targeted innocent civilians.

The mayhem led to the death of  four people, arrest of 348 suspects and 30 others were left injured.

CS Murkomen has vowed to crack down on those who broke the law and ensure that they face justice.