UDA Secretary General Hassan Omar has warned matatu operators and transport cartels against paralysing public transport during the ongoing nationwide protests over high fuel prices.
Speaking amid growing tension nationwide, Hassan Omar accused some transport saccos of using the fuel crisis to push their own agenda instead of helping common mwanainchi. In his comment, he defended the government’s plans to improve transport infrastructure and said authorities would not allow cartels to destabilise the country.
“Hiyo KSh 386 million wanataka wapatiwe wao kufadhili macartel, nimeambia akina Chirchir waweke kuanza kujenga hiyo reli. Hakuna mchezo. Hii nchi haiwezi kwenda hivi,” Omar said.
The UDA secretary general’s remarks came as the nationwide matatu strike entered its second day, disrupting transport in Nairobi, Kiambu, Nakuru, Kisumu, Kajiado, and several other counties. Thousands of commuters struggled to get to work after matatus, boda bodas, and taxis stayed off the roads to protest recent fuel price increases announced by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority.
Last week, EPRA increased petrol prices by KSh 16.65 per litre and diesel by KSh 46.29, pushing diesel prices in Nairobi above KSh 240 per litre before later revising diesel costs downward following public pressure. Transport operators argued that the new prices, combined with taxes and levies, had made business unsustainable.
The protests turned chaotic in some areas, including Githurai, Roysambu, and Nyeri, where police reported cases of looting, arson, and attacks on motorists. Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen confirmed that four people died, hundreds were arrested, and dozens suffered injuries during the demonstrations.
The government has since opened talks with transport stakeholders as pressure mounts for fuel tax relief and long-term solutions to Kenya’s rising cost of living crisis.
