By Benadeta Mwaura - Reporter
Kenya, 19 May 2026 - Kenya’s transport crisis deepened Tuesday after negotiations between the government and matatu sector stakeholders collapsed without a binding agreement, forcing the nationwide strike to spill into a second consecutive day and leaving thousands of commuters stranded across major towns.
The prolonged standoff follows days of mounting tension over sharp fuel price increases that matatu operators say have made public transport operations unsustainable.
The strike, led by the Matatu Owners Association (MOA) and other transport stakeholders, has paralysed movement in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu and several other urban centres since Monday morning.
Talks held Monday evening at Transcom House between transport stakeholders and senior government officials, including Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir and Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi, initially appeared to signal possible progress.
However, the negotiations later broke down after both sides failed to agree on broader fuel pricing reforms.
Addressing journalists after the meeting, Wandayi said the government had proposed measures aimed at addressing concerns over fuel adulteration, particularly the widening price difference between diesel and kerosene.
“One of these issues was the matter of possible adulteration of diesel due to the huge disparity in the prices of diesel and kerosene,” Wandayi stated.
“We are going to bridge the gap between the prices of diesel and petrol. That would mean that the price of kerosene would have to go higher as that of diesel comes lower to bridge that gap,” he added.
But matatu sector representatives immediately rejected suggestions that a deal had been reached.
“We are law-abiding citizens, and we abide by the law; the strike is still on, aluta continua,” one stakeholder declared during the briefing.
The Chairman of the Association of Matatu Transport Owners Association, Kushian Muchiri, later clarified that while there had been consensus on tackling fuel adulteration concerns, no agreement had been reached on reducing fuel prices.
“On the issue of the diesel prices, that one we have not agreed on, and we have scheduled another meeting,” Muchiri said.
“In the meantime, it is our request that all our drivers and owners of vehicles continue keeping their vehicles at home. No disruption, no rioting as we await better engagements which will save the economy,” he added.
The Matatu Owners Association had earlier announced a nationwide shutdown and a planned 50 percent fare increase following the latest fuel price review by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA).
According to EPRA’s latest review, diesel prices surged by more than KSh 46 per litre while petrol prices rose by over KSh 16, pushing pump prices in Nairobi to approximately KSh 242.92 for diesel and KSh 214.25 for petrol.
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MOA Chairman Albert Karagacha accused the government of failing to honour previous commitments made to the transport sector.
“On Monday, there will be strictly no movement of any vehicles; all the roads will be blocked until the government listens to our cry because we have been promised, but everything we are promised has not come to fulfilment,” Karagacha had warned ahead of the strike.
The transport paralysis has now triggered wider economic disruptions beyond commuting.
Several schools were forced to suspend transport services after drivers and conductors reportedly failed to access schools in time, leaving many parents stranded with children already prepared for school. Some companies and organisations also advised employees to work remotely due to fears of transport disruptions, route closures and possible insecurity.
Manufacturers have equally raised alarm over interrupted supply chains, delayed deliveries and reduced productivity caused by the shutdown. The Kenya Association of Manufacturers warned that prolonged transport paralysis could significantly hurt business operations and economic activity nationwide.
In many parts of Nairobi Tuesday morning, roads remained unusually quiet, with only a few private vehicles, tuk-tuks and motorcycles visible. Thousands of commuters were forced to walk long distances to work while others stayed home altogether.
The fuel crisis itself has largely been linked to rising global oil prices and disruptions in international petroleum supply chains triggered by escalating tensions in the Middle East, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil shipping route.
Energy CS Wandayi had earlier said the government used approximately KSh 5 billion from the Petroleum Development Levy Fund to cushion consumers from even steeper fuel price increases.
“To mitigate the impact of rising global petroleum prices on consumers and the wider economy, the government has utilised the Petroleum Development Levy stabilisation mechanism,” Wandayi said earlier.
However, transport operators argue that the interventions remain insufficient and insist more aggressive fuel tax reductions are needed to stabilize transport costs.
As the deadlock continues, fears are now growing that a prolonged shutdown could trigger wider economic consequences affecting businesses, schools, logistics, trade and daily productivity across the country.
Matatu Owners Reject Government Offer as Strike Hits Second Day
Matatu strike drags into second day after government talks collapse