Written By Lisa Murimi
The Matatu Movement Kenya has announced plans for a nationwide strike on Tuesday to protest against what they describe as exploitation by insurance companies and auctioneers.Â
The group claims that increasing operational costs have led to vehicle auctions by banks due to loan defaults.
Members of the movement are particularly concerned about the closure of insurance companies without prior notice, resulting in financial losses for vehicle owners who must purchase new policies.
“You find you have taken an insurance policy only to discover it’s invalid because the company has shut down overnight,” one member explained.
They also accuse auctioneers of colluding with insurance companies, stating that vehicles are swiftly auctioned if premiums are not paid on time.
“We will not accept this. If your claim was Ksh3 million, you are given Ksh 250,000, pushing people towards auctions,” they stated.
The group has criticized the License Board of Auctioneers for failing to protect matatu owners and called on the new Minister of Transport to address their grievances.
They have issued a two-day ultimatum for their concerns to be addressed, warning that they will halt all public transport services if their demands are not met by Tuesday.
