The President and Chairman of the Matatu Owners Association (MOA), Albert Karakacha, has called for dialogue with the government over the rising price of fuel in the country and the ongoing strikes.

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

While speaking in a press interview, he stated that MOA and all the Matatu conglomerates are ready to sit down with the government to avert the transport paralysis that has dominated major cities across the country.

"We are urging them to sit down with us; we are ready to sit down with them if they are willing, and if they won't do so, we will still continue with the strike, because we cannot push the price to the common mwananchi," stated Karakacha.

Karakacha was adamant that the government's failure to retaliate would result in continued industrial action, with transport set to be paralyzed in the coming days.

📌 What You Need to Know

MOA also confirms that the government has not yet reached out to them, despite the heightened situation experienced in the country in the transport sector, and businesses, which have come to a standstill in Nairobi and most parts of the country.

"They have not reached out to us; we were waiting for them, and we have not heard anything from them," stated Karakacha.

The association’s president said the group is demanding the removal of all taxes imposed on fuel, including the eight per cent Value Added Tax (VAT), which was recently reduced from 16 per cent by President William Ruto.

Further, the association also wants the government to do away with the Ksh25 Road Maintenance Levy on petrol and diesel, arguing that the charges are responsible for the high fuel prices.

In his remarks, Karakacha dismissed the notion that diesel-powered public transport vehicles were participating in the strike, stating that petrol-powered vehicles were equally affected, and urged the press to report accurately.

"We must also report correctly, the fuel price hikes have affected everybody, because diesel drives the economy. Where there is no diesel, every aspect of the economy gets affected drastically," stated MOA.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke