NAIROBI, Kenya- Kenya is staring at a major transport paralysis after players across the transport industry confirmed that the nationwide fuel strike scheduled for Monday, May 18, will proceed as planned.
In a joint statement issued Sunday evening, the Transport Sector Alliance announced that no vehicle would operate from midnight, warning of one of the largest coordinated industrial actions in the country’s history.
The alliance said all transport subsectors had unanimously agreed to participate in the shutdown, including passenger service vehicles, cargo transporters, logistics firms, ride-hailing operators, boda boda riders, tourism transport providers, driving schools, school buses and private motorists.
“Following a high-level consultative meeting held today, all stakeholders in Kenya’s transport sector have unanimously reaffirmed that no vehicle shall move starting midnight today,” the statement read.
The strike has received backing from major industry organisations, including the Federation of Public Transport Sector, Matatu Owners Association, Motorist Association of Kenya, Truckers Association of Kenya, Digital Taxi Association of Kenya and the Association of Bus Operators among others.
According to the alliance, the protests are not only about transport operators but the wider economic burden facing ordinary Kenyans.
“This action is not only for transport operators, but for every Kenyan citizen. The ordinary mwananchi is the ultimate victim of high fuel prices, paying more for transport, food, electricity and essential commodities,” the statement added.
The alliance claimed the industrial action already enjoys overwhelming support from farmers, traders, workers and consumers across the country, giving the strike “99 per cent success.”
At the centre of the protests is the latest fuel review by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority, which pushed Super Petrol prices in Nairobi to Sh214.25 per litre while diesel surged to Sh242.92 per litre.
Transport operators argue the prices are unsustainable and are driving up the cost of living across all sectors of the economy.
Among the key demands issued by the alliance are the immediate reversal of the latest fuel price increase, reduction of petrol and diesel prices to about Sh152 per litre and the eventual lowering of prices to between Sh140 and Sh150 per litre.
The group is also demanding the resignation or dismissal of Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi, disbandment of EPRA and restoration of a competitive fuel procurement system instead of the current government-to-government arrangement.
Other demands include accountability for the importation of substandard fuel, an end to fuel shortages, restructuring of the National Oil Corporation of Kenya and revival of the Changamwe Oil Refinery to process Turkana crude oil locally.
The alliance further criticised comparisons between Kenya and neighbouring East African countries, arguing that Kenya continues to pay some of the highest fuel prices in the region despite being a key economic hub.
“Enough is enough. Fuel is the lifeblood of the economy. When fuel prices rise beyond reason, the entire nation suffers,” the statement concluded.
The looming strike has already triggered anxiety among commuters, businesses and schools, with some private institutions advising parents not to take learners back to school on Monday due to fears of transport disruption and demonstrations across major towns and cities.
