We did not agree! Drama as matatu owners disagree with CS Wandayi on fuel talks

A collage of a transport stakeholder and Energy CS during the presser at Transcom House on May 18, 2026./SCREEN GRAB

Tensions flared during a live meeting at Transcom House on Monday after matatu sector representatives publicly rejected remarks made by Energy CS Opiyo Wandayi, insisting that no agreement had been reached on proposed fuel price adjustments.

Speaking during the deliberations, Opiyo Wandayi said the government intended to narrow the price gap between diesel and petrol in an effort to curb fuel adulteration and protect diesel-powered vehicles from possible mechanical damage.

“For prudence purposes and to eliminate the risk of fuel adulteration on account of this huge disparity,” Wandayi said, “we are going to bridge the gap between the prices of diesel and petrol.”

The CS explained that under the proposed adjustments, diesel prices would be reduced while kerosene prices would be increased in order to stabilise the pricing structure.

He further stated that the discussions had been conducted together with the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), adding that the final details would be published officially by the regulator.

“I must also add that EPRA was fully involved in those deliberations, and this common understanding has been arrived at unanimously,” Wandayi said.

However, moments later, transport sector representatives sharply contradicted the CS during the live session at Transcom House, declaring that no consensus had been reached and that negotiations remained unresolved.

“There are things we do not agree on here,” one representative said, insisting the public needed to know that matatu operators had not endorsed the government’s proposal.

The representative further stated that operators had proposed a different pricing range of between Sh30 and Sh35 and accused officials of communicating an agreement that did not exist.

“We did not agree on anything,” he said. “That is what we want to go out to our members and the nation.”

The remarks ended with confirmation that the planned strike was still on, signalling possible disruption in the transport sector if fresh negotiations fail.

The disagreement now exposes growing tensions between the government and public transport operators at a time when many Kenyans are already struggling with the rising cost of living, high transport fares, and increasing pressure on household budgets following recent fuel price hikes.