Daijiworld Media Network - Nairobi

Nairobi, May 19: Public transport operators in Kenya on Tuesday suspended their nationwide strike for one week to allow fresh consultations with the government, bringing temporary relief after two days of violent protests that left four people dead and over 30 injured.

The strike had paralysed transport services across the country, leaving thousands of commuters stranded for a second consecutive day as operators kept vehicles off the roads.

Transport unions had launched the protest demanding a reduction in fuel prices to ease rising transportation costs affecting both operators and passengers. Negotiations with the government reportedly collapsed on Monday.

Protesters took to the streets in several areas, clashing with police and setting tyres on fire along major highways, leading to severe traffic disruptions and blocked roads.

Fuel prices in Kenya reached record highs on Friday, with diesel prices rising by 23.5 per cent and petrol prices increasing by 8 per cent.

The Kenyan government attributed the sharp increase to the ongoing conflict involving Iran and its impact on global energy supplies.

However, opposition leaders blamed the hike on alleged profiteering by corrupt business interests seeking to increase margins.

Kipchumba Murkomen, Kenya’s Interior Minister, said in a televised briefing that discussions involving all stakeholders in the fuel sector would be held within the next seven days to address the pricing issue.

Kennedy Kaunda, a representative of the transport operators’ association, said members had agreed to temporarily suspend the strike to allow the consultations to proceed.

He warned that if no agreement was reached within a week, further directions would be issued to the public regarding future protests.

Authorities said four people were killed during Monday’s unrest, while more than 30 sustained injuries. Police also arrested around 348 people for allegedly participating in unlawful protests.