Matatu operators have called off a planned nationwide strike that was set to take place on Monday, February 9, following fresh consultations with the government and security agencies.
The industrial action, which would have been the second strike within just over a week, has now been suspended for at least two weeks to allow continued negotiations and the implementation of agreed safety measures in the public transport sector.
Speaking during a press briefing on Saturday, February 7, Intercorridor Mobility representative Joseph Kagai said operators opted for dialogue despite several unresolved issues.
“We have engaged deliberately, and although not all matters have been resolved, we have agreed, out of goodwill, to suspend the Monday strike and continue addressing the outstanding concerns,” Kagai said.
He explained that the discussions focused largely on rising insecurity and lawlessness affecting public service vehicles, with incidents involving boda boda riders forming a key part of the talks.
“We are giving dialogue a chance by allowing teams to sit down, negotiate, and iron out all the issues within the next two weeks,” Kagai added.
The decision comes as a relief to commuters who had been bracing for another major disruption after transport services were paralysed by a strike last week.
On Monday, confusion rocked the transport sector after a strike went ahead despite assurances from the Federation of Public Transport Sector (FPTS) that there would be no industrial action.
Following the latest consultations, however, stakeholders appear to be aligned, with representatives from the Motorists Association of Kenya (MAK) also taking part in the talks.
Operators expressed hope that the engagement period would yield lasting solutions to security concerns and restore stability within the public transport industry.
