The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
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The Federation of Public Transport Sector CEO, Kushian Muchiri, has warned that matatus will once again be taken off the roads if their demands are not met by next Tuesday.
Speaking in an interview with Citizen TV, Muchiri—who also serves as the national chairman of the Association of Matatu Owners—said operators will not resume normal operations unless their concerns are addressed.
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He noted that leadership requires careful decision-making, especially when engaging with government proposals.
“When the government reached out to us and gave us an offer, as a leader, you do not act just to appear tough. It is not about emotions; sometimes wisdom is needed,” he said.
On fare adjustments, Muchiri defended the decision to increase prices, saying it was necessary to keep the business running.
“A business cannot survive if you keep injecting money into it without returns,” he explained.
He added that operators were forced into a difficult choice.
“It was either park the vehicles or increase fares,” he said.
However, he noted that even after raising fares, many commuters stopped travelling, with some choosing to stay home or walk, leading to continued losses.
“It means we were still making nothing,” he said.
Transport operators have blamed the government for failing to address rising fuel costs and other levies, which they say have reduced profitability in the sector.
They are now calling for lower fuel prices, removal of certain taxes, and urgent parliamentary intervention to ease the high cost of living affecting both operators and citizens.
They argue that repeated fuel price hikes are hurting businesses, driving inflation, and making essential goods and services more expensive.
Meanwhile, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has said the government expects to reach an agreement with transport operators by Saturday, May 23, expressing optimism that negotiations are progressing well.
The standoff follows a recent strike by operators—including matatu associations, long-distance bus companies, ride-hailing services, and truckers—over high fuel prices.
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Talks led by Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi and Transport CS Davis Chirchir previously ended without agreement, despite a reduction of diesel by Sh10.06 per litre.
Under the latest EPRA pricing review, Super Petrol remained unchanged at Sh214.25 per litre in Nairobi, while diesel dropped from Sh242.92 to Sh232.86 per litre.
