Paralysis Looms As Matatus, Motorists, Boda Bodas, Taxi Drivers Announce Strike On Monday

Motorists, boda boda riders, digital cab operators, long-distance travellers, and tourist transport operators have announced a nationwide strike set to begin on Monday, May 18, piling pressure on the government following the latest fuel price hike announced by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA).

The planned industrial action comes amid mounting anger from transport players and commuters after the sharp increase in fuel prices, which has already sparked widespread fare hikes and fears of a major disruption in transport services across the country.

In a joint statement released on Saturday, May 16, by the Transport Alliance after a high-level stakeholders’ meeting in Nairobi, operators from various transport sectors revealed they had unanimously resolved to stage countrywide protests and a strike over what they described as “sharp and unjustified” fuel price increases.

The strike is expected to involve members of the Motorists Association of Kenya (MAK), matatu owners and operators, cargo and freight transporters, commuter representatives, private motorists, and other sectors heavily reliant on fuel.

The announcement comes just days after EPRA raised the price of super petrol by Ksh16.65 per litre and diesel by Ksh46.29 per litre under the May-June 2026 fuel review.

Under the revised prices announced on Thursday, May 14, super petrol is now retailing at a maximum of Ksh214.25 per litre, while diesel jumped to Ksh242.92 per litre. The new prices took effect on May 15 and will remain in force for the next 30 days.

Transport stakeholders accused the government and EPRA of deepening the cost-of-living crisis through what they termed exploitative fuel pricing, arguing that the increases have triggered a ripple effect across the economy.

“The fuel price increase announced on the 14th has worsened the already unbearable cost of living and directly contributed to skyrocketing commodity prices affecting every Kenyan household,” read part of the statement issued by the Motorists Association of Kenya.

The alliance demanded the immediate reversal of the latest fuel price hike and called for the harmonisation of fuel prices to curb illegal fuel mixing involving kerosene and other petroleum products.

The stakeholders also pushed for the immediate disbandment of EPRA, accusing the regulator of failing Kenyans and enabling punitive fuel pricing that has crippled transport operators and ordinary consumers.

Additionally, the alliance urged the government to liberalise fuel pricing and reduce excessive state control, arguing that market-driven competition would lower pump prices and ease pressure on transport operators.

The strike threat comes as transport fares continue rising across the country, with several PSV operators and long-distance bus companies already implementing fare increases to cushion themselves against soaring operational costs.

Bus firms, including Transline Classic and ENA Coach, have adjusted fares upwards on multiple routes, while PSV operators in Nairobi announced a 50 per cent fare increase and warned that the planned strike could cripple movement in major towns if the government fails to intervene.