NAIROBI, Kenya- Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has urged matatu operators to accord President William Ruto the same patience they allegedly showed former President Uhuru Kenyatta during previous fuel price crises, as the nationwide transport strike entered its second day.
Speaking amid mounting pressure over soaring fuel prices and violent protests witnessed in several parts of the country, Murkomen questioned why the public transport sector had chosen to suspend operations under the current administration despite similar economic challenges during Uhuru’s tenure.
“Please, the transport sector, the way you understood President Uhuru Kenyatta and never went on strike less than five years ago, that is the same way you should understand President William Ruto because he is in office,” Murkomen said.
The Interior CS argued that leaders allied to the Kenya Kwanza administration criticised fuel prices during the previous government through constitutional means rather than organising protests and strikes.
“When I was in the Senate in the last administration, I was a very serious critic of the way the oil prices were being handled by the government. We never organized one protest. No life was lost,” he said.
Murkomen further questioned why matatu operators did not withdraw services during the Uhuru Kenyatta administration despite fuel price increases at the time.
“Why did they not stop their vehicles less than four years ago? And why is it that in the administration of President William Ruto they have stopped their vehicles from coming to the streets?” he posed.
His remarks came as thousands of commuters across Nairobi, Kiambu, Nakuru and other towns continued to suffer major transport disruptions after matatu operators extended their strike following failed talks with the government over fuel prices.
The transport sector has been demanding a reduction in diesel and petrol prices, reforms at the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), and intervention from the Treasury to cushion operators from rising fuel costs.
Murkomen, however, maintained that violence and disruption of transport services would not solve the fuel crisis, which the government has linked to disruptions in global oil supply chains caused by the ongoing Iran conflict.
The CS also accused sections of the opposition of exploiting the protests to incite unrest and target government supporters, warning that security agencies would firmly deal with individuals involved in looting, vandalism and attacks on public property.
