All petroleum product users led by RIG owners’ association Chairman Cornelius Chepsoi (center), Federation of public transport sector (FPTS) CEO Kushian Muchiri (left) and Matatu Owners Association President Albert Karakacha, addressing journalists at Bomb Blast Memorial Park, Nairobi on May 17, 2026.
President William Ruto jetted back to the country after official visits to Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan, and among his immediate assignments is to avert a strike next week by stakeholders in the transport sector, led by matatus.
The President flew from Astana, the capital city of Kazakhstan through Muscat, Oman and landed at Moi International Airport Mombasa at 5.51am on Thursday.
As part of his plans to forestall a crisis next week, the chairpersons of matatu Saccos had on Wednesday evening been invited for meeting with the President in Mombasa on Thursday.
President William Ruto and Deputy President Kithure Kindiki during the issuance of title deeds for Mombasa, Kwale, Kilifi and Taita Taveta beneficiaries at Mama Ngina Drive, Mombasa county.
The stakeholders are protesting the high cost of fuel and the demonstrations on Monday and Tuesday paralysed activities in many counties across the country. Property of unknown value was destroyed and according to some civil society groups, 12 people were killed.
Leaders of associations told Nation that the venue of the meeting had not been indicated, but they were informed that they will be guided upon landing in Mombasa.
According to the Matatu Owners Association (MOA) Chairperson Albert Karakacha, they were invited by the President owing to the agreement that was reached on Tuesday during a roundtable meeting with the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration Kipchumba Murkomen and his Energy counterpart Opiyo Wandayi.
"Yes we have been invited and I'm on my way, but we want to assure our clients and members that we will not be intimidated. We are going there with our clear minds on the issues to be addressed," Mr Karakacha said.
Unclear invitation
He stated they were not happy with allegations being spread on social media claiming that they were bribed to suspended the strike.
"We are not happy with what is being said. We are facilitating [the travel to Mombasa] for ourselves. We have our means. I personally have matatus and I cannot be bribed," Mr Karakacha said.
Mass Mobility Operators Association chairperson Wilfred Bosire said that the allegations of bribery was being investigated.
"I and some of my colleagues are still questioning where that money came from and who was given. We understand that a lot of things are being said and that money might have exchanged hands and some of us did not benefit from that," Mr Bosire said.
While stating that the invitation was not clear in terms of who should be attending the meeting, some officials were already in Mombasa, raising more questions.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen (center) briefs the media outside Harambee House in Nairobi on May 19, 2026 after stakeholders in the transport sector called off the nationwide matatu strike.
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja also dismissed the allegations that he was the one who facilitated their transport fee to Mombasa.
"It's fake," the governor told Nation.
The governor added that he is proposing for tax capping measures to cushion the matatu sector and Kenyans from high cost of fuel.
“If we sit down and think critically, we can find a solution. For example, we can introduce price capping where taxes on fuel only apply when pump prices are Sh200 and below. If prices rise above that level, the taxes would be suspended," the governor said.
"Our role as government is to create a formula ensuring that the landing cost of fuel, together with taxes, does not push pump prices beyond Sh200. If the landing cost is low enough and taxes can be applied without exceeding that threshold, then the taxes remain in place. However, if higher landing costs combined with taxes would push fuel prices above Sh200, the taxes should be suspended to cushion wananchi. That is my suggestion on the fuel issue," Mr Sakaja said.
The matatu stakeholders said that they will only call off the strike if the government meets their demands.
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