NAIROBI, Kenya- Cabinet Secretaries are awaiting President William Ruto’s return from Azerbaijan before announcing fresh measures to cushion Kenyans from soaring fuel prices that have triggered a nationwide transport strike.
Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi on Monday said the government would reconvene once President Ruto returns to the country to explore additional interventions aimed at easing the burden on consumers and businesses.
“I am sure as a government we will sit and look at what else can we do,” Mbadi said amid mounting pressure over rising fuel prices and the ongoing transport paralysis across the country.
His remarks come as Kenya faces one of its biggest coordinated transport shutdowns in recent years, with matatu operators, truckers, boda boda riders and taxi operators protesting the latest fuel price increases announced by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA).
The strike has disrupted movement in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, Kitengela and several other towns, forcing thousands of commuters to walk to work as operators accuse the government of failing to shield Kenyans from the rising cost of living.
Mbadi defended the government’s handling of the crisis, insisting Kenya’s fuel price increases were lower compared to neighbouring countries despite public outrage.
“I hear people saying that fuel is cheaper in Uganda and Tanzania. Where is that evidence? The increase in fuel prices in Kenya is much lower compared to our neighbours,” he said.
The Treasury CS also dismissed the ongoing matatu strike as unjustified, arguing that Kenya was dealing with a global crisis triggered by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
“The matatu strike is completely uncalled for. Why are we trying to solve a global problem using domestic means? We have not caused the US-Iran war,” Mbadi said.
According to the government, global oil supply disruptions linked to instability in the Middle East have significantly pushed up fuel prices internationally, affecting countries heavily dependent on imported petroleum products such as Kenya.
President Ruto is currently in Baku, Azerbaijan, attending the World Urban Forum and holding bilateral talks focused partly on energy cooperation and oil sector partnerships.
His discussions with Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev have centred on oil and gas collaboration, renewable energy and a proposed regional oil refinery project.
Mbadi revealed the government had already absorbed part of the global fuel shock through subsidies and stabilisation measures, warning that without intervention, diesel and petrol prices would have risen even further.
Still, pressure continues to mount on the Kenya Kwanza administration as the transport strike bites deeper and concerns grow over inflation, supply chain disruption and rising costs of basic goods.
