By Ken Muthomi - Reporter
Kenya, May 18, 2026 - The Matatu Owners Association has said it is ready to hold talks with the government to halt the ongoing public transport protests, which have led to a complete shutdown of major urban areas across the country.
In a press briefing on Monday, MOA’s chairman, Albert Karakacha, said that the strike will continue if the government continues being reluctant to address the rising fuel prices, which have triggered uproar among Kenyans who are still struggling with the high cost of living.
Despite a standstill in the transport sector and businesses in Nairobi and other major towns across the country, Karakacha has said that the government has yet to reach out to the association for a meeting.
"We are urging them to sit down with us; we are ready to sit down with them if they are willing, and if they won't do so, we will still continue with the strike, because we cannot push the price to the common mwananchi," Karakacha stated.
The announcement comes days after the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) increased the cost of Super Petrol by Ksh1.5 and Diesel by Ksh46.29 per litre. The prices of kerosene remained unchanged.
In Nairobi, Super Petrol, Diesel, and Kerosene retail at Ksh214.25, Ksh242.92, and Ksh.152.78 respectively. Following the review, the association announced a 50 percent hike in fares and a nationwide protest.
On Monday morning, thousands of Kenyans, especially in Nairobi, were unable to use major transport corridors such as the Thika Superhighway and Waiyaki Way to commute to work and businesses after the roads were blocked with stones and burning tyres by irate protesters.
Responding to the protest, Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi said that the strike is uncalled, warning that it would put the country’s economy in a precarious position.
Speaking during an interview with NTV on Monday, Mbadi, who said that the prices shall not be reviewed until June, claims that Kenyans should be calm until the government lays out the necessary strategies to ensure that fuel prices go down.
The Treasury boss said that the executive will hold a meeting once President William Ruto returns from Azerbaijan to monitor and deliberate on how best to handle the situation in the country. The government aims to stabilise the fuel prices in the next monthly review using a subsidy, through the Ksh5 billion from the Petroleum Development Levy (PDL) Fund.
"We will look at the subsidy kitty that we have, and if that is not going to be sufficient, we will see what to do. We will then look at the fuel levy, especially the VAT. And we will check on what to cut in terms of expenditure," Mbadi said.
Mbadi also claimed that key stakeholders in the transport sector have remained reluctant to have a meeting with the government to discuss the situation and restore calm.
"I don't think a strike is the solution. The price of petroleum products has increased everywhere in the world. Have they spoken with us and now they are saying that there is nothing that the government can do?” Mbadi said.
"It is now like biting the finger you want to hear. The economy will be hit further and we will have no resources to further subsidize. I am not happy to see Kenyans walking," he added.
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