Public transport is likely to be paralysed on Monday if matatu operators make real their threat to stage a countrywide strike over a myriad of issues.
A memo to PSV operators, companies and saccos dated August 21 lists five grievances, top among them “unmanageable increases in operational costs due to the recent fuel levy hike”.
“The matatu industry, together with other transport stakeholders in the public service sector, is deeply concerned about the government’s mishandling of critical issues affecting our industry. As a result, we are compelled to take action,” the memo reads in part.
The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority hiked the levy from Sh18 per litre to Sh25 per litre in its monthly fuel price review of July 14, 2024.
This is despite there having been public participation and the people rejected the levy citing majorly the high cost of living.
The decision sparked fear that this would lead to a hike in fuel prices whose ripple effect would be high basic commodity prices but fuel prices remained unchanged in Epra’s August 14 price review.
Super petrol is currently retailing at Sh188.84, diesel at Sh171.60 and kerosene at Sh161.75 in Nairobi as was the case during the July cycle.But fuel levy is not the operators’ only concern.
They also want to strike to protest what they term as unfairly high premiums and delays or denials in claim settlements by some insurance companies.They also have issues with the auctioneer and microfinance practices over “aggressive vehicle repossessions and exploitative lending practices”.
The matatu operators also want to voice their complaints about alleged harassment by traffic police and county revenue enforcement officers popularly known as Kanjo.
They claim there’s also unfair treatment in PSV regulation and oversight by the authority.
“We urge all PSV operators, companies and Saccos to fully participate in this strike to address these pressing issues,” the memo seen by the Star states.
“Strike activities: Cessation of all PSV operations from 6 am on August 26, 2024, until further notice. Strategic blockades at key transport hubs. Public awareness campaigns and mass demonstrations,” it adds.
The strike day coincides with the reopening of schools for the Third Term, signifying the magnitude of the chaos that awaits the transport industry.
That is if teachers agree to the government’s offer and call off their planned teachers’ strike over the non-implementation of some CBA pledges.
TSC said on Wednesday after meeting three teacher unions that the government offered funds for the implementation of phase II of their 2021-25 CBA and that union leaders retreated to consult internal organs on whether or not to call off the strike.
Word was yet to be heard from the unions by late Thursday.
