Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said the suspension would allow further negotiations on fuel pricing and broader concerns affecting the public transport sector.

📻 Breaking It Down

NAIROBI, Kenya, May 19 — The government and transport sector stakeholders have agreed to suspend the nationwide fuel strike for one week following high-level negotiations aimed at easing tensions over soaring diesel prices that had paralysed public transport across the country.

The breakthrough, announced Tuesday after hours of consultations between government officials and leaders of the transport sector, comes a day after chaotic scenes at Nairobi’s Transcom House where matatu operators publicly rejected claims that a deal had already been reached.

Following the breakthrough, Sakaja appealed to financial institutions to grant temporary amnesty and flexibility to investors in the public transport sector, saying many operators were struggling under mounting economic pressure.

📌 What You Need to Know

Speaking after the negotiations, the Governor said the disruption had caused widespread suffering across the country, affecting families, businesses and essential services.

“We know people are suffering. Children have not gone to school, farm produce is stuck, the sick are stranded and businesses have been closed. I want to assure you that we have found a way forward after deliberations,” he said.

Sakaja urged lenders not to intensify pressure on operators through aggressive loan recovery measures, arguing that the prevailing economic conditions require understanding and support.

“To financial institutions, we are in very extraordinary times. The crisis is global; let’s not take it out on our people. People are struggling, let’s not auction them. Let’s go back to work as we negotiate so that we get a solution and address the issues at hand, as their guarantor in this negotiation,” he added.

His appeal comes amid growing concern over the rising cost of operations in the transport sector, with matatu operators grappling with increased fuel prices and financial strain.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said the suspension would allow further negotiations on fuel pricing and broader concerns affecting the public transport sector.

📰 Source: Capital FM Kenya