President William Ruto’s intervention in the transport sector has revealed sharp divisions among matatu operators, leading to the collapse of a planned nationwide strike.
The strike threat had been building amid concerns over taxation, fuel costs and tighter regulations affecting operators.
Industry players had initially presented a united front, warning of a shutdown that would disrupt transport services across the country.
However, days before the planned action, divisions began to emerge.
Some leaders within the sector pushed for continued resistance, insisting that the government had not addressed their key concerns. Others broke ranks and opted for talks with state officials.
Speaking in Mombasa, President Ruto announced that the strike had been called off after consultations with stakeholders.
He said the government had listened to the concerns raised and taken steps to address them, including measures aimed at stabilising fuel prices.
Insiders within the matatu sector say the outcome followed intense behind-the-scenes engagements. Influential figures are reported to have held separate discussions with government officials, weakening the industry’s collective position.
The split significantly reduced the chances of a coordinated strike. Without a unified leadership, the push for industrial action lost momentum, allowing normal operations to continue.
At the centre of the dispute are long-standing issues affecting operators, including rising operational costs and regulatory pressure. The government has pointed to ongoing fuel subsidy programmes and tax relief measures as part of efforts to ease the burden.
Despite the agreement to call off the strike, some operators remain dissatisfied. They argue that the deal does not fully address structural challenges within the sector and may only offer short-term relief.
The developments highlight the challenges facing Kenya’s matatu industry, where competing interests often undermine collective action.
While commuters have avoided disruption for now, tensions within the sector remain unresolved.
Attention now turns to whether the government will follow through on its commitments and whether operators will find common ground in future engagements.