Commuters brace for chaos as matatu, bodaboda operators announce strike
Matatus at their various stages in town.
Come Monday, you may just need to ask your boss to work from home because the matatus may not be operating.
Commuters across could face major transport disruptions after the Motorists Association of Kenya (MAK), under the umbrella of the Transport Alliance, issued a nationwide strike notice protesting the latest fuel price hike announced by the government.
In a statement released, the alliance says the industrial action will begin on Monday, May 18, as it accuses the government and the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) of imposing “sharp and unjustified” fuel price increases that have worsened the cost of living.
The alliance says the strike will involve matatu owners and operators, boda boda associations, digital cab operators, tourist vehicle operators, cargo and freight transporters, commuter representatives, motorists and private vehicle owners, borehole drilling machine operators, generator owners and other fuel-dependent sectors.
A boda boda rider fuels his motorcycle at a petrol station in Nakuru as transport operators protest increased fuel prices, warning of disruptions in public transport services across the country.
“The fuel price increase announced on May 14 has worsened the already unbearable cost of living and directly contributed to skyrocketing commodity prices affecting every Kenyan household,” the statement reads.
Among the demands issued by the alliance are the immediate withdrawal of the latest fuel price increase, harmonization of fuel prices to curb illegal mixing of fuel products with kerosene, and the disbandment of EPRA, which the stakeholders accuse of enabling exploitative fuel pricing.
The group also calls for the liberalization of fuel pricing and the removal of what it terms excessive government control to allow fair market-driven competition.
Transport operators warn that the strike could paralyze public transport services across the country if the government fails to address their grievances before Monday.
The alliance further urges Kenyans affected by rising fuel and commodity prices to join the planned nationwide protests, describing the action as a stand for “economic justice, fairness, and the protection of livelihoods.”
If the strike proceeds, thousands of commuters in major towns and cities are likely to be affected, with disruptions expected in matatu operations, boda boda services, digital taxi transport and cargo movement.