Fuel Price Strike Called Off After Talks With President Ruto

Kenya’s public transport operators have called off a planned nationwide shutdown after reaching an agreement with President William Ruto in Mombasa. 

The deal includes a KSh10 per litre reduction in diesel prices in the June–July pricing cycle. The agreement ends several days of uncertainty that had disrupted transport services in towns across the country and raised concerns about further disruption next week. The dispute centred on rising fuel costs, particularly diesel prices, which had reached record levels in Nairobi.

The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority had already lowered diesel prices following public protests. President Ruto’s intervention now signals a broader effort to ease pressure on the transport sector. He said the government’s fuel subsidy programme, which cost Sh28.1 billion between April and June, would place additional strain on public finances. Debt servicing currently accounts for more than 70 percent of ordinary government revenue.

Transport sector leaders welcomed the agreement and instructed drivers and conductors to resume operations immediately. Edwin Mukabana, chair of the Federation of Public Transport Sector, confirmed that the strike had been fully cancelled. Kushian Muchiri of the Association of Matatu Transport Owners apologised for the violence and vandalism reported during earlier protests.

The demonstrations led to damage in several areas, including vehicles being set on fire and schools being vandalised. Police also reported casualties while responding to the unrest.

The talks also addressed long-standing concerns within the matatu industry. President Ruto directed the National Transport and Safety Authority to suspend enforcement of a ban on matatu graffiti, decorative artwork and tinted windows. The High Court had upheld the ban only weeks earlier.

The decision preserves the “nganya” style associated with Kenya’s urban matatus, while allowing the NTSA to continue regulating designs on safety grounds. Authorities have argued that excessive decoration can reduce visibility and hide required vehicle markings.

The agreement provides immediate relief for commuters and businesses by preventing further disruption to transport services. However, issues including fuel price volatility, pressure on public finances and disputes over regulation remain unresolved.

Transport operators said they would continue discussions with Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir on wider challenges facing the sector. Public transport services are expected to operate normally in the coming week.