There will be no industrial action from the transport sector following the recent hike in diesel prices for the October-November cycle, president of the Matatu Owners Association (MOA) has confirmed.
Karakacha spoke on Sunday, October 18, when he dismissed concerns of a potential matatu strike after the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) announced a new high to diesel prices, which will now retail at KSh 227.76 per litre for the next one month.
According to the Matatu Owners Association president, stakeholders in the transport sector will be forced to adjust to the new prices, with commuters set to feel the pinch the hardest.
"We will continue running our business. We are business people and we will do what we have to do," he said.
Matau Owners Association President Albert Karakacha
Citizen Digital
"The one who will feel the brunt are our customers and I feel sorry for them because the effects will trickle down to them.
Karakacha, speaking on behalf of matatu owners, also accused the government of failing to honour an agreement during a meeting in Mombasa, where the government allegedly promised to help facilitate the shipping of more than 100,000 electric public service vehicles to help fight the volatile diesel economy.
He went on, "We are still discussing the electric buses. If the president is able to give a clear direction on how we will acquire these vehicles, the issue of fuel will be over."
The latest pump review caught a majority of Kenyans off guard, with petrol prices rising to Ksh12 per litre while diesel rose by Ksh 9. Kerosene was the hardest hit as its price per litre rose by Ksh28 per litre.
In the wake of EPRA's announcement, activists and human rights defenders are planning a nationwide protest on Tuesday, October 20 to oppose rising fuel prices and increasing cost of living.
The last nationwide matatu strike over rising fuel prices took place in May 2026, when operators withdrew services to pressure the government into lowering pump prices.
The industrial action, which began on Monday, May 18, disrupted public transport across the country, leaving commuters stranded and affecting businesses, schools and movement along major highways. In some parts of the country, protests linked to the fuel crisis turned violent, leaving four people dead and more than 30 injured, according to Reuters.
The strike was initially suspended on May 19 to allow negotiations between transport operators and the government. It was eventually fully called off on May 22 following a meeting between President William Ruto and transport sector representatives at State House in Mombasa.
At the time, government subsequently implemented the diesel reduction, with the price falling by KSh10 per litre to KSh222.86 in the June 15 to July 14 pricing cycle.
Months later, Karakacha is accusing President Ruto of going back on his initial promise from May, when the president allegedly promised to keep diesel prices particularly stable in the coming months, despite the volatile nature in the Middle East.
Meanwhile, the Counties Commuters Welfare Association (COCOWA) has issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) to revoke the latest fuel price increases or face legal action.
The association, through a presser on Sunday, October 18 argued that the October price review was conducted without public participation or consultations with transport sector stakeholders, warning that commuters will bear the burden through higher fares.
An image of a fuel pump.
Photo
Motorists Association of Kenya