John Mbadi has blasted the ongoing nationwide matatu strike, terming it unnecessary despite the unprecedented increase in fuel prices across Kenya.
In a television interview on Monday, Mbadi said Kenya cannot fix a global fuel crisis through local protests and transport shutdowns. The current fuel scenario is mainly a consequence of international conflicts and rising global oil prices.
“In my view, the matatu strike is unnecessary even if fuel prices have gone up,” Mbadi said. “We are trying to solve a global problem with local solutions, and that is not right.”
His comments came as matatu operators, boda boda riders, truck drivers, and taxi operators continued a countrywide strike that has paralysed transport in Nairobi and several other towns. Many public service vehicles did not ply the roads, leaving thousands of commuters stranded and others walking long distances to work.
Protests also erupted in places like Roysambu and Kitengela, where demonstrators used stones and burning tyres to block the roads, causing major traffic jams and disruption of businesses. )
Mbadi defended the government’s response to the fuel crisis, saying state interventions had kept fuel prices from rising further. Treasury CS says global diesel prices have shot up sharply since the escalation of the conflict involving the United States and Iran earlier this year.
“The government had already taken some tax relief measures and introduced subsidy measures to shield Kenyans from the full brunt of global oil market shocks,” he said.
Mbadi also affirmed that the government will review the fuel situation again during the next EPRA pricing review scheduled for June 14. President William Ruto will hold a high-level meeting on his return from Azerbaijan to discuss possible new measures to stabilise fuel prices, he said.
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The latest fuel price hikes have triggered widespread public anger as transport fares, food prices, and the cost of basic goods continue to skyrocket in the country.
Business groups and economists have warned that the transport strike could hit Kenya’s economy further if the standoff between transport operators and the government persists.
