NAIROBI, Kenya — Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has dismissed the one-week suspension of the nationwide matatu strike, arguing that the move will not resolve the ongoing transport crisis or the growing public anger over the high cost of living.
Addressing the media on Tuesday, Gachagua said the country had reached a “breaking point”, insisting that Kenyans could no longer sustain rising fuel prices and mounting economic pressure.
“Kenyans are saying they have reached an elastic limit and a breaking point. The one-week strike suspension is just a decoy. There will be no negotiations. I urge the transport sector and Kenyans to continue agitation until there is justice,” he said.
The former deputy president argued that businesses were struggling to survive, claiming the current economic environment had become unsustainable for transport operators and traders alike.
“It is no longer sustainable to run businesses in Kenya. Business people should not be used by cartels to make abnormal profits,” he added.
The remarks came a day after matatu operators suspended the strike for one week to allow consultations between the government and transport sector stakeholders over soaring fuel prices.
DP Kithure Kindiki said the suspension followed an agreement to pursue urgent dialogue.
“There was a need for negotiations with the stakeholders at a high level, and they will take place within the next week,” Kindiki said.
Federation of Public Transport Sector CEO Kushian Muchiri also urged operators to resume services immediately to ease pressure on commuters stranded during Monday’s transport paralysis.
However, Gachagua sharply criticised President William Ruto, accusing the administration of poor leadership and failing to respond adequately to public frustration.
“Instead of William Ruto sitting in the office to work, he is hopping from one flight to the next, attending international conferences that can be attended by directors in ministries. William Ruto and his government, please swallow your pride and listen to the people of Kenya,” he said.
“You will not look weak, although you are. Look at the mirror, you may not like what you see, but that is the reality,” he added.
Gachagua further alleged that the government was benefiting from a questionable fuel import arrangement under the government-to-government (G-to-G) petroleum supply framework.
He claimed that the landed cost of fuel had been artificially inflated, though the allegations have not been independently verified.
“The real issue facing our country is conflict of interest and state capture. The G-to-G arrangement is a business deal through which the government is allegedly profiting from fuel imports,” he said.
“As we speak, the landed cost of petrol is about Sh117, and diesel is about Sh167. We have information that in the G-to-G arrangement, those selling oil to Kenya are making large profits, including alleged payments of Sh30 per litre on petrol and Sh40 per litre on diesel.”
He proposed several measures to lower fuel prices, including scrapping VAT on petroleum products, reducing fuel levies, and reviewing oil marketers’ margins.
“This is what we must discuss. If prices are to come down, the President must agree to forgo these profits. VAT should be reduced to zero, and other levies reduced so that fuel prices go down,” he said.
The DCP Leader also questioned explanations linking the fuel price hikes to tensions in the Middle East, arguing that Kenya’s supply routes were not directly affected by the Strait of Hormuz.
“Do not be told that fuel prices are rising because of the Strait of Hormuz. Our fuel does not come through Iran; it is processed in Dubai and Saudi Arabia. That explanation is misleading,” he claimed.
The government has maintained that Kenya, as a net importer of petroleum products, remains vulnerable to global oil market disruptions and geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
The latest fuel review by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority increased the price of Super Petrol by Sh16.65 per litre and Diesel by Sh46.29 per litre, triggering nationwide protests and transport disruptions.
On Monday, commuters across Nairobi and other major towns were stranded after matatus stayed off the roads during the strike. Violent protests were also reported in several parts of the country, with police confirming deaths, injuries, and hundreds of arrests linked to the unrest.
