Matatu Owners Rule Out Strike Despite Diesel Price Hike

Matatu Owners Association president Albert Karakacha says operators will not strike over the new diesel prices. He spoke on Sunday, October 18, after EPRA raised the price for the October-November cycle.

Diesel will now sell at KSh 227.76 per litre for the next month. Karakacha says transport businesses must simply adjust to the higher cost.

Commuters Face the Burden

Karakacha says matatu owners will keep running their businesses as usual. He warns that the higher costs will pass down to ordinary passengers.

He said he feels sorry for commuters because they will carry the heaviest load. Fare increases are likely to follow the fuel review.

Electric Bus Promise

Karakacha accuses the government of breaking a promise made at a meeting in Mombasa. He says officials agreed to help ship in more than 100,000 electric public service vehicles.

He says operators still discuss the electric buses with the government. He believes a clear directive from President William Ruto on buying them would end the fuel problem.

The Latest Price Review

The new pump prices caught many Kenyans off guard. Petrol rose by Ksh12 per litre, and diesel went up by Ksh9.

Kerosene suffered the biggest jump, climbing by Ksh28 per litre. Activists and rights defenders now plan a nationwide protest on Tuesday, October 20 against rising fuel prices.

Lessons from the May Strike

Matatu operators last held a nationwide strike over fuel prices in May 2026. The action began on Monday, May 18, and left commuters stranded across the country.

Protests linked to the fuel crisis turned violent, and Reuters reported four deaths and over 30 injuries. Operators suspended the strike on May 19 and ended it fully on May 22 after meeting President Ruto in Mombasa.

Broken Promise Claim

The government later cut diesel by KSh10 to KSh222.86 for the June 15 to July 14 cycle. Karakacha now says Ruto has gone back on his May pledge to keep diesel prices stable.

Legal Threat Over Prices

The Counties Commuters Welfare Association has given EPRA 14 days to revoke the price increases. It warns of legal action if the authority refuses.

The association spoke at a press conference on Sunday, October 18. It says EPRA held the review without public participation or consultation with transport stakeholders.