The nationwide transport strike that had paralysed movement across the country has been suspended for one week following fresh negotiations between the government and transport sector stakeholders.
The decision was reached after talks involving the Matatu Owners Association, digital cab operators, and other transport sector representatives.
As a result of the agreement, public transport services are expected to resume immediately across the country, bringing relief to thousands of stranded commuters.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen announced the breakthrough on Tuesday, May 19, during a press briefing held at Harambee House after an interministerial meeting with transport sector leaders.
According to Murkomen, both parties agreed that further consultations would continue over the next seven days as efforts intensify to address the concerns raised by operators.
“Following a consultative meeting this morning between the government and representatives of the transport sector, it was agreed that there was need for negotiations between the government and the stakeholders at a high level,” Murkomen stated.
“Those negotiations must be undertaken within the next one week. Following the negotiations, it was agreed that the ongoing strike be suspended for a period of one week to provide an avenue for consultation between the government and the stakeholders,” he added.
At the same time, the Matatu Owners Association urged all operators and drivers to resume work immediately to allow room for dialogue and negotiations.
However, transport operators warned that they could restart the strike if the government fails to honour the commitments made during the talks.
“We are urging our members to report back to work to give room for the negotiations. We however want to warn that should the one-week lapse before an agreement, then we will have no alternative but to resume the strike,” said MOA President Albert Karakacha.
Federation of Public Transport Sector (FPTS) CEO Kushian Muchiri also welcomed the talks, saying the government had finally acknowledged the seriousness of the transport sector’s concerns.
“Negotiations have now begun in earnest, and the government has acknowledged the seriousness of our concerns. Had our grievances been taken seriously on Friday, we would not be in this situation today,” Muchiri stated.
“On behalf of the transport sector, I urge matatu owners to resume operations immediately so that we can continue serving Kenyans,” he added.
Under the agreement reached during the talks, Johnson Sakaja will serve as the guarantor overseeing the negotiation process between the government and transport stakeholders.
Sakaja also appealed to financial institutions and auctioneers dealing with operators in the matatu industry to show leniency and allow affected businesses time to recover as operations return to normal.
The strike had disrupted transport services across major towns and cities after operators protested against rising fuel prices and the increasing cost of doing business in the sector.
Thousands of commuters had been left stranded as matatus, buses, taxis, and digital cab operators stayed off the roads in protest.
The government and transport stakeholders are now expected to continue negotiations until May 26 in hopes of reaching a long-term solution that will prevent further disruptions in the public transport sector.