NAIROBI, Kenya — People’s Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua has thrown her weight behind the nationwide matatu strike and growing protests over rising fuel prices, accusing the Kenya Kwanza administration of failing to shield Kenyans from worsening economic hardship.
Speaking in Nairobi on Monday, the PLP leader said transport operators and ordinary wananchi had every right to engage in peaceful mass action as the cost of living continued to rise sharply across the country.
Her remarks came as matatu operators and petroleum product users staged protests over high pump prices, disrupting transport services, businesses, and daily activities in several towns.
Karua described the situation as a national economic crisis driven by excessive taxation, poor fiscal management, and government policies that she said had pushed many families and small businesses to the edge.
“Our transport operators and daily commuters are not striking because they want to disrupt the peace; they are striking because they can no longer afford to breathe under this administration’s punitive fuel levies,” Karua said.
She accused the government of ignoring the struggles faced by ordinary Kenyans while maintaining lavish public spending and expensive state operations.
According to Karua, rising fuel prices are now affecting nearly every sector of the economy. She said transport costs, food prices, and the cost of running businesses had increased significantly, leaving many households unable to cope.
Criticism of Government Response
The former Justice Minister also criticised what she termed as the government’s delayed and inadequate response to the crisis.
“This government has neither the capacity nor the will of the people at heart,” she said.
Karua questioned why Kenyans were allegedly being asked to wait for President William Ruto to return from an overseas trip before discussions on relief measures could take place.
“The taxes Kenyans pay do not wait, but when wananchi demand services, relief, or accountability, they are told to wait, ignored, or met with teargas in the streets,” she added.
Calls for Economic Reforms
Karua urged Kenyans to remain engaged in the democratic process and vote for leaders committed to prudent economic management, accountability, and fair taxation.
“Kenyans deserve leaders who work for them, leaders who grow the economy, support businesses, create opportunities, and listen to the cries of wananchi instead of punishing them for speaking out,” she said.
She further argued that leadership should focus on public service rather than political comfort and privilege.
“Leadership is service to the people, not comfort for those in power,” Karua stated.
Under Article 37 of the Constitution of Kenya 2010, every Kenyan has the right to assemble, demonstrate, picket, and present petitions peacefully and unarmed.
Karua called on citizens to unite and push for economic reforms through constitutional and democratic means, saying the country needed leadership focused on restoring dignity and economic stability for ordinary Kenyans.
