Albert Karagacha, president of the Matatu Owners Association, announced today in Mombasa that the planned nationwide matatu strike set for next week has been fully called off.
This decision comes after direct discussions with President William Ruto. The move aims to prevent further losses for operators and commuters across Kenya following recent fuel price tensions. ” Ruto’s Singapore dream is a reality. Let’s put politics aside and build our country. We have called off next week’s matatu strike. “
The announcement brought a sudden end to days of uncertainty on Kenyan roads. Matatus, the colorful minibuses that carry millions daily from Nairobi’s bustling streets to rural routes in Kisumu and Eldoret, had threatened to stay off the roads. High diesel costs had pushed many owners to the edge.
Karagacha stood before reporters and fellow operators in Mombasa on Friday, May 22, speaking with clear conviction. He urged everyone to focus on progress instead of division.
Operators Praise Government Steps on Fuel
Karagacha did not hold back in his support for the president’s approach. “Ruto’s Singapore dream is a reality,” he said during the gathering. “Let’s put politics aside and build our country.”
The association had earlier suspended the strike for a week to allow talks. After meeting Ruto at State House in Mombasa, they decided to cancel it completely. The government promised to cut diesel prices by 10 shillings per litre starting June 14. That should ease the pressure on operators who had reported losses running into hundreds of millions of shillings.
One operator bana.co.ke spoke with off camera in Nairobi expressed mixed feelings. “We need relief at the pump, but we also need to keep moving. People depend on us for work,” he said, wiping sweat from his brow after a long morning run from town to the airport road. The air still carried the faint smell of exhaust from the few matatus that stayed on duty during the partial stoppage.
President Ruto also eased rules around matatu appearances. The planned crackdown on graffiti and tinted windows is on hold. Many see these vibrant designs as part of Kenya’s lively transport culture, especially in cities like Nakuru and Mombasa where they turn heads on coastal highways.
Daily Commuters Relief
A teacher heading to her school in Ruiru told me, “These matatus are our lifeline. When they stop, the whole day suffers. Kids arrive late, parents miss shifts. I am glad they listened to reason this time.”
The decision comes at a time when fuel prices have been a sore point nationwide. Global oil shifts since February added to local pressures. Many matatu owners had said they could not absorb the costs without passing them to passengers, something that would have hit low-income families hardest.
Looking Ahead to Smoother Rides
While some online voices questioned the quick turnaround and accused leaders of being too quick to agree, others welcomed the practical outcome. Kenya’s roads see constant movement from early dawn until late night. Keeping matatus running means keeping the economy humming, from small traders in Kitale to factory workers in Thika.
Karagacha wrapped up his remarks with a direct call to members. “We had suspended the strike but we’ve called it off. So we will not have strike next week. We are going to work.”
Drivers juggle long hours and traffic. Passengers just want to get where they need to go without breaking the bank.
The coming weeks will test whether the promised diesel reduction delivers real change at the pumps. For now, matatus will keep their engines running, their music playing, and their routes active. In a country where public transport shapes so many lives, that counts for something.
As one veteran driver in downtown Nairobi put it while polishing his side mirror, “We move people. That’s the job. Today we move forward together.” The coming months may bring more talks on long-term fixes, but for this week at least, Kenya’s roads stay open.
