By James Mutua
Matatu stakeholders have announced a one week suspension of the ongoing public transport sector strike following fresh negotiations with the Government over the rising cost of fuel.
Addressing the media on Tuesday after meeting matatu stakeholders, Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said the Government recognizes the hardships Kenyans are facing due to escalating global fuel prices linked to the Middle East crisis.
Murkomen noted that the Government has already implemented several measures aimed at easing the burden on citizens, including reducing Value Added Tax (VAT) on petroleum products by eight percent last month and utilizing the Petroleum Development Levy to stabilize fuel prices.
He added that despite the interventions, fuel prices remained high, prompting the Government to introduce additional relief measures on Monday night by lowering the price of diesel by KSh 10 per litre.
According to the Cabinet Secretary, the Government also adjusted kerosene prices to narrow the gap between diesel and kerosene prices in a move aimed at preventing fuel adulteration by unscrupulous dealers.
“Understandably, the public transport sector stakeholders are still agitating for a further reduction,” Murkomen said.
Following a meeting held Tuesday morning between Government officials and representatives from the public transport sector, both parties agreed to continue negotiations while suspending the strike for one week.
The stakeholders also condemned incidents of violence and destruction witnessed during Monday’s protests and distanced themselves from the chaos.
Murkomen reiterated the Government’s commitment to addressing concerns raised by Kenyans and urged citizens to use peaceful and lawful means to express their grievances.
The strike had disrupted transport services in several parts of the country, leaving thousands of commuters stranded as operators protested increased operational costs driven by rising fuel prices.
