… call off the strike if the government reduced diesel prices by Ksh.46. “And what we are urging the government is that they have a lot of pockets where they can find this money and fund this Ksh.46 we are looking for,” stated Albert Karakacha, President, Matatu Owners Association …
From Transcom to Harambee House: The high-stakes drama behind fuel strike dealKenya Minute.
Thursday, 21 May 2026
Kenya’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Thursday, 21 May 2026
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Kenyan press · Organization
Matatu Owners Association
Also known as: MOA
Matatu Owners Association — directs members on fare increases and strike action in response to fuel price changes, involved in May 2026 nationwide fuel strike negotiations.
In coverage
Verbatim sentences from the source article.
- May 2026
… The Matatu Owners Association urged its members to resume operations immediately to allow room for negotiations, while warning that the strike could resume if no agreement is reached within the agreed timeline. …
DP Kindiki Hails PSV Operators for Suspending Strike, Promises More Measures to Ease Fuel CostsKalonzo defends fuel strike as legitimate government response
… Matatu Owners Association President Albert Karagacha directed operators to resume work, saying a joint committee would be formed to address broader challenges facing the PSV sector. …
Sakaja Seeks Loan Amnesty for Matatu Operators as Government Suspends Fuel Strike for a Week… Matatu Owners Association president Albert Karagacha, representing the Matatu Owners Association, said both sides had agreed to establish a joint committee to address broader challenges in the PSV sector, including insurance costs, traffic enforcement, and corruption. …
Matatu operators suspend nationwide strike for one week in fresh talks… Matatu Owners Association president Albert Karagacha directed operators to resume work, saying a joint committee would be formed to address broader challenges facing the PSV sector. …
Govt announces suspension of fuel strike until Tuesday to allow further talks… But before the ministers could exit the briefing, officials from the Matatu Owners Association abruptly interjected, rejecting any suggestion that an agreement had been reached. …
“With All Due Respect, There’s No Deal”: Matatu Official Publicly Contradicts Govt as Fuel Strike Continues… Follow us Follow on Whatsapp Follow on Google Follow on Twitter Audio By Vocalize A high-level meeting convened by Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi and his Transport counterpart Davis Chirchir was plunged into disarray as a representative from the Matatu Owners Association …
“With all due respect…” Tourist Guide Association boss bold rebuke leaves Wandayi, Chirchir speechless
… Matatu Owners Association President Albert Karagacha said operators remained under financial strain. …
LSK demands audit of G-to-G fuel deal, questions stalled prosecution of energy officials… Matatu Owners Association president Albert Karagacha said operators were under severe financial strain. …
Government Left Embarrassed as Matatu Operators Reject Wandayi Deal Live on Camera… The Matatu Owners Association directed operators to keep vehicles off the roads for a second consecutive day on Tuesday until further notice. …
No Deal Reached as Matatu Strike Over Fuel Prices Continues Tuesday
Politics
Government ends fuel strike after tense negotiations with transport operators
The News
A nationwide matatu strike that lasted two days was called off Tuesday afternoon following negotiations between government and transport operators at Transcom House, Harambee House, and State House. The government tapped its fuel stabilisation fund to secure the agreement after operators initially demanded a Ksh.46 cut in diesel prices.
Why it matters
Government ends fuel strike after tense negotiations, marking resolution of a crisis that had paralysed the nation and killed dozens.
19 May 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Tuesday 19 May
Government ends fuel strike after tense negotiations with transport operators
A nationwide matatu strike that lasted two days was called off Tuesday afternoon following negotiations between government and transport operators at Transcom House, Harambee House, and State House. The government tapped its fuel stabilisation fund to secure the agreement after operators initially demanded a Ksh.46 cut in diesel prices.
19 May 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Deputy President praises PSV operators for suspending fuel strike
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki commended public transport operators for suspending a nationwide fuel strike, calling it a patriotic act. He assured Kenyans that the government would continue interventions to ease fuel costs, including lowering VAT on petroleum products from 16 to 8 percent and investing over Sh12 billion in subsidies.
19 May 2026 · Capital News →
Government suspends fuel strike for week amid matatu crisis
Following negotiations, the government and transport sector stakeholders have agreed to suspend the nationwide fuel strike for one week to ease tensions over diesel prices. Governor Sakaja appealed to financial institutions to grant temporary amnesty and flexibility to public transport operators struggling under mounting economic pressure.
19 May 2026 · Capital News →
Matatu operators suspend strike for one week in fuel talks
Transport sector leaders have suspended a nationwide matatu strike for one week to allow fresh negotiations over diesel prices after rejecting the government's initial fuel deal on Monday. The suspension follows talks between government officials and public transport leaders, with operators prepared to resume industrial action if no meaningful agreement is reached within seven days.
19 May 2026 · Capital News →
Government, transport sector suspend fuel strike until May 26
The government and transport sector stakeholders have suspended a nationwide fuel strike for one week following negotiations over diesel prices. Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said the suspension allows further talks on fuel pricing and public transport concerns, noting the government has reduced VAT on petroleum products by eight percent and cut diesel prices by Sh10 per litre.
19 May 2026 · Capital News →
Matatu Official Contradicts Government on Fuel Strike Deal
A matatu sector representative publicly contradicted Cabinet Secretaries Opiyo Wandayi and Davis Chirchir on live camera during a press briefing, declaring "there's no deal" after talks over soaring fuel prices that triggered a nationwide matatu strike. Energy CS Wandayi had announced discussions centered on fuel adulteration concerns and a plan to bridge the gap between diesel and petrol prices.
19 May 2026 · Capital News →
Matatu owners reject Ksh.10 diesel cut, fuel strike continues
A meeting between Energy and Transport Cabinet Secretaries and transport sector stakeholders ended without agreement after matatu owners rejected a government proposal to lower diesel prices by Ksh.10, demanding a substantial reduction instead. The Transport Sector Alliance announced the industrial action that disrupted transport services would continue.
19 May 2026 · Citizen Digital →
LSK demands forensic audit of G-to-G fuel procurement deal
The Law Society of Kenya has called for an immediate forensic audit of the Government-to-Government fuel procurement framework, citing concerns over transparency and accountability in the energy sector amid rising fuel and electricity costs affecting households and businesses.
19 May 2026 · Capital News →
Monday 18 May
Matatu operators publicly reject fuel price deal live on camera
Matatu operators rejected an announcement by Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi about a breakthrough in fuel price talks, contradicting him on camera at Transcom House in Nairobi. Operators said the government had only agreed to a 10 shilling reduction in diesel prices, far below their demand of between 30 and 46 shillings per litre.
18 May 2026 · Capital News →
Matatu strike over fuel prices continues; talks fail
A meeting between government cabinet secretaries and matatu operators failed to resolve a nationwide strike over fuel prices on Monday night. Matatu stakeholders rejected a government proposal to lower diesel prices by Sh10, and the strike was set to continue on Tuesday.
18 May 2026 · Capital News →
Matatu strike continues after government fuel talks stall
Negotiations between the government and matatu sector stakeholders over fuel pricing failed to reach agreement on Monday night, with the strike continuing on Tuesday. Stakeholders said there was consensus on addressing fuel adulteration through price adjustments to diesel and kerosene, but no final deal was agreed.
18 May 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Kalonzo defends fuel strike as legitimate government response
Wiper leader Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka has defended the Transport Sector Alliance-led fuel strike, describing it as a legitimate response to the government's fuel price hike. He blamed the nationwide transport paralysis on EPRA's May 14 announcement raising diesel prices by Sh46.29 per litre and super petrol by Sh16.65 per litre, arguing the increases were made without adequate public consultation and worsened Kenya's cost-of-living crisis.
18 May 2026 · Capital News →
Transport operators shut down services demanding fuel price cuts
Transport operators have halted services nationwide, calling it a peaceful protest against high fuel prices and taxes they say are unsustainable. The Rig Owners Association chairman said the industry can no longer absorb fuel costs and called for government to reduce prices and scrap taxes.
18 May 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Burning tyres block Thika Road, disrupt Nairobi transport
Protesters lit tyres along Thika Road on Monday morning, forcing motorists to make U-turns and disrupting movement around the Githurai area. The disruption, part of a nationwide transport strike over fuel prices, brought one of Nairobi's busiest transport corridors to a near standstill and left thousands of commuters stranded.
18 May 2026 · Capital News →
Transport operators announce nationwide service suspension over fuel prices
Matatu operators, truckers, ride-hailing drivers and private vehicle owners have announced a nationwide suspension of transport services, citing soaring fuel prices and a worsening economic climate.
18 May 2026 · The Standard →
Sunday 17 May
Police warn matatu operators against planned strike over fuel prices
The National Police Service has warned transport sector agitators that disruptive conduct during a planned matatu strike on May 18 will be dealt with firmly and in accordance with the law, as matatu operators, boda boda associations, and logistics players threaten to withdraw vehicles and block highways in protest over recent fuel price increases by Epra (diesel up Sh46.29 per litre, super petrol up Sh16.65 per litre).
17 May 2026 · The Standard →
Saturday 16 May
Transport sector announces nationwide strike over fuel prices
Transport sector players under the Transport Alliance umbrella have announced a nationwide strike beginning Monday, demanding the immediate disbandment of EPRA and lowering of fuel prices, accusing the government of imposing "sharp and unjustified" price increases that have worsened the cost of living.
16 May 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Fuel price hikes spark nationwide protests, anger at government
Protests erupted across Kenya after the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority announced a historic increase of Sh46 per litre for diesel and Sh16 per litre for petrol, triggering anger among boda boda operators, matatu owners, and small-scale traders who accuse President Ruto's administration of abandoning ordinary citizens and breaking campaign promises.
16 May 2026 · The Standard →
Matatu operators threaten strike over fuel costs, raise fares 50%
Matatu operators and transport lobby groups have increased fares by 50 per cent and threatened a strike beginning Monday, protesting rising fuel costs that they say make operations unsustainable. The groups have called for all vehicles to be withdrawn from roads countrywide to pressure the government into responding.
16 May 2026 · The Standard →
Friday 15 May
Matatu operators announce 50% fare hike, plan nationwide Monday strike
Public transport operators have announced a nationwide strike beginning Monday in protest against rising fuel prices, and have implemented an immediate 50 per cent increase in fares, citing increased operational costs.
15 May 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Matatu owners direct members to raise fares following EPRA fuel hike
The Matatu Owners Association has directed its members to increase fares by up to 50 per cent after EPRA raised diesel and petrol prices by Sh46.29 and Sh16.65 respectively. The operators have also threatened to strike on May 18 and block major roads in protest, with commuters across the country already reporting fare hikes of up to Sh50.
15 May 2026 · The Standard →