A nationwide transport shutdown is looming after motorists, boda boda riders, matatu operators and truck drivers announced plans for a countrywide strike beginning Monday, May 18, in protest over soaring fuel prices and the rising cost of living.
The industrial action, organised under the Transport Alliance and backed by the Motorists Association of Kenya (MAK), threatens to paralyse movement, disrupt supply chains and trigger commuter chaos across major towns and highways if the government fails to intervene before Monday morning.
The dramatic announcement comes just days after the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) increased fuel prices for the May–June cycle, pushing the cost of Super Petrol to Ksh214.25 per litre and diesel to a staggering Ksh242.92 per litre.
Transport operators accused the government of “economic punishment” against ordinary Kenyans, warning that the fuel hikes have already sparked fare increases, rising food prices and severe pressure on businesses dependent on transport and logistics.
In a strongly-worded statement released after a high-level stakeholders’ meeting in Nairobi, the alliance declared that operators from the matatu sector, boda boda associations, digital cab services, freight and cargo transporters, tourist vehicle operators and private motorists would all join the protests.
“The fuel price increase announced on May 14 has worsened the already unbearable cost of living and directly contributed to skyrocketing commodity prices affecting every Kenyan household,” part of the statement read.
The alliance is now demanding the immediate withdrawal of the latest fuel increase, the liberalisation of fuel pricing and the disbandment of EPRA, which it accuses of enabling punitive and exploitative fuel costs.
The looming strike has sparked fears of massive transport disruption similar to previous nationwide protests that saw key highways blocked and commuters stranded for hours. Earlier this year, transport operators paralysed movement in Nairobi while protesting insecurity and repeated torching of vehicles linked to boda boda-related violence.
Several PSV operators and long-distance bus companies have already announced fare hikes of up to 50 per cent following the latest EPRA review, with operators warning that continued fuel increases could collapse the transport sector entirely.
Government officials had not issued a comprehensive response by Saturday evening, although pressure is mounting on President William Ruto’s administration to intervene before the planned demonstrations escalate into nationwide unrest.
If the strike proceeds as planned, commuters across Kenya could face one of the biggest transport shutdowns in recent months, with fears growing over shortages, delayed deliveries and soaring transport fares.
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