Transport services gradually resume after fuel price strike suspension

Commuters can now breathe a sigh of relief after public transport services resumed across the country following the suspension of the nationwide fuel price strike.

Public service vehicles began ferrying passengers from Tuesday afternoon after a deal was brokered between the government and transport stakeholders, allowing both sides seven days to negotiate and resolve the standoff over the new fuel prices.

After two days of transport paralysis, PSV operators gradually returned to the roads in several parts of the country, including Nairobi, Machakos, Busia, Kajiado, Kisii, Meru and Nyandarua counties.

Passengers and transport operators, however, lamented the heavy disruptions caused by the strike, saying businesses and daily activities had been adversely affected.

“Hata kama tumerejea, hakuna abiria, wengi walibaki nyumbani,” said one driver during the resumption of services.

The breakthrough followed a tense one-and-a-half-hour meeting between government officials and transport stakeholders.

“We hereby announce suspension of the strike for seven days to allow the government to negotiate,” said Kenya Bus Services Managing Director Edwin Mukabana.

“With all due respect, we are urging our members to resume operations but we shall be back on the streets if the issue is not resolved,” said Kennedy Kaunda, the CEO of the Tourists Group Association.

Association of Matatu Owners Chairman Kushian Muchiri also confirmed the suspension of the industrial action.

“We are calling off the strike for one week until we re-negotiate with the government,” he said.

The crisis meeting, held at Harambee House, brought together members of the Transport Sector Alliance, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, his Energy counterpart Opiyo Wandayi and Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja.

The parties resolved to escalate the negotiations to President William Ruto, who is expected back in the country later this week.

“The suspension of the strike is to allow high-level negotiations,” said Murkomen.

S Wandayi thanked transport operators for suspending the strike, saying the government remains committed to finding an amicable solution.

“We thank transporters for agreeing to call off the strike,” he said.

Governor Sakaja said leaders had chosen dialogue to ease the suffering Kenyans were experiencing due to the disruption.

“We chose to come together because a lot of Kenyans are suffering,” said Sakaja.

Under the agreement reached, diesel prices will remain reduced by Ksh.10.06 per litre, while kerosene prices increased by Ksh.38.60 per litre. Super petrol prices remain unchanged for the next 25 days.

Diesel will now retail at Ksh.232.86 per litre, kerosene at Ksh.191.38, while super petrol remains at Ksh.214.25 per litre.