Kenya's Public Transport Federation Ends Fuel Strike After President Ruto Meeting

Kenya's public transport operators have called off a nationwide fuel strike that had caused significant disruption, after talks with President William Ruto. The Federation of Public Transport Sector (FPTS), which includes the Matatu Owners Association, announced the decision on Friday following closed-door discussions at State House Mombasa, according to AllAfrica report.

Strike Suspended and Then Fully Ended

The operators first agreed to suspend the strike for one week on Tuesday, after hours of consultations, with Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen confirming that the halt would allow for further negotiations on fuel pricing and broader transport concerns. They subsequently confirmed the full cancellation of the strike, with Matatu Owners Association of Kenya President Albert Karakacha stating: "The strike that we had suspended has been called off fully."

The government said it had agreed to address long-standing grievances, including insurance claims, auctioneering practices, and fuel-related operating costs. During the meet with the president, transport leaders apologised to Kenyans for the disruption caused by the protests, distancing themselves from violence and vandalism that had been reported during the action.

In a separate development, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja appealed to financial institutions to consider temporary amnesty and flexibility for transport investors. He said many operators were struggling under the economic strain, and asked lenders not to auction vehicles and equipment during the crisis.

Details of the Agreement

AllAfrica's reports described several elements of the agreement. The discussions centred on fuel pricing, subsidies, and lessons from past fuel crises, President Ruto saying he held a nearly three-hour meeting with representatives in Mombasa. Ruto, spoke at the National Prayer Breakfast, said the decision to end the strike was voluntary, not the result of pressure from his administration: "When we finished, they told me, 'Mr President, we are going to call off the strike.' I did not tell them to call off the strike."

The president said the government had explained the realities of fuel pricing and subsidies, and warned against what he called "reckless" policies from the past that had cost billions. The government maintained that there was no fuel shortage in the country, and Ruto noted that Kenya currently has a stable fuel supply, attributing this to intervention.

Fuel Pricing and Further Measures

As part of the agreement, Ruto promised an additional Sh10 reduction in diesel prices in the June–July pricing cycle. That follows what the government says it has already spent Sh28.19 billion on fuel stabilisation measures and tax relief across the April–May and May–June cycles. The president linked the stress to a global fuel crisis “triggered by escalating conflict in the Middle East,” saying that disturbances along the Strait of Hormuz had pushed up the import cost of fuel into Kenya.

In addition to pricing, Ruto pledged to move urgent implementation of minimum fare regulations for digital taxis operating on ride-hailing apps. He directed the Ministry of Transport and the National Transport and Safety Authority to fast-track engagement with transport network companies and drivers.

Regional Refinery Plans

The president announced that Kenya is in discussions with neighbouring countries to process fuel locally using resources from the region, including Turkana oil. He said this territorial facility would help reduce the country's exposure to global oil price swings.

Coverage of the Daily Reports

AllAfrica articles emphasized different facets. One focused on the formal call-off and the operators' apology, quoting Karakacha and a representative who said that "goons infiltrated" the protests, leading to the destruction of property and school for buses. Another report zeroed in on the suspension of the strike and Sakaju's appeal. A third highlighted Ruto's denial of pressure and his defence of past subsidies. A fourth centered on the digital taxi fare regulations, presenting the issue as a solution-oriented component.

Perspectives

The Government

President Ruto stressed that the strike was called off by the operators themselves, without pressure from the state, and that the meeting provided factual information about the fuel situation. He defended the government's pricing and subsidy strategy as an attempt to avoid repeating past mistakes, and said key stability measures had already been taken.

The Transport Operators

The operators, through the Matatu Owners Association, expressed regret the strike and blamed “political interests” and the foot for the destruction and the stoppage of service. They welcomed the planned meetings on the fare and diesel price, acknowledging that dialogue was better than confrontation.

The Governor of Nairobi

Johnson Sakaja welcomed the agreement and insisted on a lenient approach from banks and other financial institutions. "These are extraordinary times," he said. "The crisis is global – we don't want to take it out on our people. People are struggling; let's not do an auction them. Let's go back."

The Interior Cabinet Secretary

Kipchumba Murkomen described the suspension of as a temporary measure to allow for negotiations. He suggested that further discussions would cover just not only the price of fuel, but also other broader concerns of the sector.