Kenya's nationwide transport strike over fuel price hikes was called off on Tuesday after the government reached an interim agreement with associations representing bus and minibus owners, according to Reuters. The strike, triggered by recent fuel price increases linked to the Iran war, had caused widespread disruptions across the country.
Key Takeaways
Kenya's nationwide transport strike over fuel price hikes was called off after the government reached an interim agreement with transport associations. Four people were killed and about 30 injured in protests linked to the strike. The strike had disrupted services across Kenya, raising transport fares and pushing up the cost of basic goods.
- Kenyan public transport strike over fuel price hikes was called off after a week-long suspension for further talks.
- Four people were killed and about 30 injured in nationwide protests linked to the strike.
- The government agreed to lower diesel prices by about 10 shillings per litre, costing $20.79 million in lost revenue.
- Transport operators sought a deeper reduction of 46 shillings per litre but accepted an interim agreement.
The protests turned deadly on Monday, with four people killed and about 30 injured in nationwide demonstrations. Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen announced that the strike had been suspended for one week to allow for further negotiations between the government and transport operators. The government agreed to lower diesel prices by approximately 10 shillings per litre, a measure expected to cost $20.79 million in lost revenue.
Transport operators had sought a deeper reduction of 46 shillings per litre, but initial negotiations on Monday failed to reach an agreement. Despite the suspension, bus and minibus services remained disrupted across Kenya on Tuesday morning, though transport associations urged their members to return to work after a joint press conference with the government.
The fuel price hikes have sharply raised transport fares and pushed up the cost of basic goods, deepening pressure on households already struggling with the high cost of living. Kenya imports nearly all its fuel products from the Middle East via government-to-government deals with Gulf suppliers. The protests saw heavy police deployments in Nairobi, where demonstrators blocked roads and clashed with security forces who fired tear gas to disperse them.
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