Matatu bosses humiliate government as fuel talks collapse live on camera

The government has this late evening suffered an embarrassing setback after matatu operators publicly contradicted Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi and his Roads and Transport counterpart Davis Chirchir moments after the former suggested that talks over rising fuel prices had yielded progress.

The dramatic fallout unfolded at Chirchir’s office at Transcom House, Ministry of Roads and Transport headquarters in Nairobi following hours of negotiations between government officials and transport sector representatives aimed at resolving a nationwide PSV strike triggered by soaring diesel prices.

The standoff remained unresolved late into the night as negotiations led by Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir and Wandayi failed to produce a consensus on the key issue of fuel costs that has paralysed public transport across the country.

Addressing the media at around 9:30 p.m., Wandayi initially projected optimism, saying the government and transport stakeholders had made progress, particularly on concerns surrounding fuel adulteration caused by the price gap between diesel and kerosene.

“We have come to an understanding that for prudence purposes and to eliminate the risk of fuel adulteration on account of this huge disparity, we are going to bridge the gap between the prices of diesel and kerosene,” Wandayi said, indicating diesel prices would be lowered while kerosene prices would rise.

However, moments after his remarks, matatu sector representatives interrupted the briefing and openly contradicted the CS, insisting that no agreement had been reached on the core issue affecting operators.

“Yes, I want to say I am sorry. There are things I do not agree here,” one of the representatives said during the live press conference.

“We did say that we are going to communicate here clear and open that we have not agreed.”

The public contradiction of Cabinet Secretaries during a live press conference has now raised fresh questions about the government’s handling of the fuel crisis and its ability to manage the growing standoff with the transport sector.

The transport operators maintained that the government had only proposed a Sh10 reduction in diesel prices, far below their demand of between Sh30 and Sh46 per litre.

“With all due respect, we did not agree on anything,” another representative said angrily, accusing the government of failing to address the financial strain facing PSV operators.

The awkward exchange played out in full view of cameras as government officials exited the briefing while matatu leaders remained behind to address journalists, effectively taking over the press conference.

Association of Matatu Transport Owners Chairperson Kushian Muchiri clarified that the only consensus reached during the talks concerned measures to curb fuel adulteration.

“We have agreed on the part of adulteration that the price of diesel and kerosene be at par. On the issue of the diesel prices, that one we have not agreed 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.

Matatu Owners Association President Albert Karagacha directed operators to keep vehicles off the roads for a second consecutive day on Tuesday, warning that the strike would continue until the government offers a meaningful solution.

“We are paying our loans… we’ve not gotten any solution,” Karagacha said.

The continued impasse is expected to deepen the transport crisis that has left thousands of commuters stranded in several towns, including Nairobi and Nakuru, while businesses and schools remain heavily disrupted.