Transport operators across Kenya have threatened to paralyse movements nationwide beginning midnight Monday in protest over the latest fuel price increases, saying the rising cost of fuel has pushed businesses and ordinary citizens to the brink.
Speaking during a press briefing on Sunday, representatives from the transport and borehole drilling sectors announced that public service vehicles, commercial transporters and private motorists would withdraw their services indefinitely until the government intervenes to lower fuel prices.
“Effective today at midnight, all public service, commercial vehicles and private vehicles across Kenya shall cease operations until further notice due to the unbearable rise in fuel prices and harsh economic conditions affecting transport operators and common mwananchi,” said Cornelius Chepsoi, chairman of the Rig Owners Association.
The operators accused the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) of imposing unjustified fuel price increases, particularly on diesel, which they said had risen sharply within a short period.
Chepsoi questioned the decision to increase diesel prices by Sh76 per litre over the last two months while kerosene prices remained unchanged.
He urged the government to explore alternative measures to cushion consumers, including reducing taxes on petroleum products or tapping into the Petroleum Development Levy (PDL) fund.
“Whether they reduce taxes or they utilise PDL or they raise money from elsewhere, bei ya mafuta ianguke na ianguke vizuri,” he said.
Transport operators warned that the fuel hikes were affecting every category of road users and would ultimately increase the cost of living for Kenyans.
Joseph Bundi, secretary general of the Meru Matatu Association, called on citizens to support the planned industrial action, saying the crisis extends beyond the transport sector.
“Hata watu wa malori… boda boda, gari ndogo, taxi… hii shida ni ya kila mtu kwa nchi nzima. Tunaomba kila mtu atu-support kwa hii mgomo ndio serikali iskize sauti ya mwananchi,” he said.
In Meru County, demonstrations over the fuel prices are expected on Monday. Tout Elvis Kirimi confirmed that operators and residents planned to stage protests demanding a reduction in pump prices.
“KESHO ni maandamano… tunaenda kuandamania mafuta,” he said.
The dispute has also escalated to the courts, where a petition has been filed challenging the legality and transparency of the latest fuel price review.
Petitioner Francis Awino moved to the High Court seeking orders to suspend implementation of the new pump prices, arguing that the adjustments were introduced without sufficient public participation.
In the case, Awino is seeking a detailed breakdown of the pricing formula used during the May-June fuel review cycle, including landed fuel costs, taxes and levies, exchange-rate assumptions and profit margins used to determine pump prices.
He is also demanding accountability over the reported use of Sh5 billion from the Petroleum Development Levy Fund meant to cushion consumers against high fuel prices.
Further, the petitioner is contesting the waiver of sulphur fuel standards, claiming it may expose Kenyans to environmental pollution and health risks.
He wants the government compelled to release technical reports, public participation records and updates on the National Energy Security and Resilience Plan.
The planned strike now raises fears of widespread transport disruption across the country if no agreement is reached between operators and the government.
