Matatu owners call off strike, issue new message to Kenyans

Matatu owners under the banner of Federation of Public Transport Operators has called off their countrywide strike on Monday afternoon called off their nationalwide strike and promised to return to the roads from tomorrow (Tuesday).

The strike was called off following a closed door meeting the matatu operators and Interior PS Karanja Kibicho who was also joined by his Transport counterpart Esther Koimett.

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The operators are reported to have raised their concerns to the Transport and Interior ministries, which the two PSs promised to address.

“The federation has also brought to our attention the unfair transportation, such as proboxes, not subjected to these rules. We have also heard of cartels in the sector and are committed in the next couple of days to clean the stages of these cartels,” Kibicho said after the meeting.

The operators apologized to commuters who were left stranded on Monday morning after PSV owners pulled their cars off the roads in protest to the introduction of Michuki rules.

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“We are glad to have had this meeting and have listened to what we have discussed. I apologise to our passengers and we will be back on the road.”

“We request our people who have complied to return their vehicles to the road. We will bring all issues to the government table for negotiations,” said the federation spokesperson Edwin Mukabana.

The development came shortly after Interior CS Fred Matiang'i said the government would cancel licences for matatu operators who participated in the strike as well as those who hiked fares during the crisis.