Matatu Operators Announce Countrywide Strike Starting Monday in Protest of 'Michuki Rules'

The Federation of Public Transport Operators has announced a countrywide matatu strike beginning Monday in protest of the enforcement of “Michuki rules.”

The Federation’s chairman, Edwin Mukabana, says the move follows a directive issued by Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i on Friday.

"We would like to advise our members to withdraw their services on Monday for the purposes of aligning our operations to the new guidelines," says Mukabana.

Mukabana says the federation has written to the Ministry of Transport to seek clarifications on a section of the rules introduced by the late Cabinet Minister John Michuki. 

"We are seeking dialogue with authorities on some unclear and discriminatory guidelines," he adds.

Flanked by Transport CS James Macharia, Interior PS Karanja Kibicho and Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet, Matiang’i said the crackdown on matatus that have not complied with the rules will begin on Monday. The CS says the crackdown aims at restoring sanity on Kenyan roads.

"We have taken a longer route this time. We will institutionalise our response to address this insanity. We will focus on the whole chain of responsibility," Cabinet Secretary Matiang'i said.

The government gave Public Service Vehicle operators a period of two weeks to comply with the rules.

Under the rules, all matatus must be fitted with speed limiters, seat belts and continuous yellow line around the vehicle.

At the same time, all PSV drivers and touts are required to wear uniforms and badges prominently displaying their photos as stated by law.