The alliance warned that continued increases in pump prices were threatening livelihoods and pushing operational costs beyond sustainable levels, especially for public transport operators who rely heavily on fuel.

📻 Breaking It Down

NAIROBI, Kenya, May 16 – Transport operators across the country have issued a nationwide strike notice set to begin on Monday, May 18, in protest against the latest fuel price increase announced by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA).

Under the umbrella of the Transport Alliance, stakeholders drawn from various fuel-dependent sectors accused the government of imposing “sharp and unjustified” fuel price hikes that they say have worsened the cost of living for millions of Kenyans.

In a statement released after a high-level stakeholders’ meeting held in Nairobi, the alliance said the strike and planned peaceful protests would involve matatu operators, boda boda riders, digital cab drivers, cargo transporters, tourist vehicle operators and private motorists.

📌 What You Need to Know

“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,” the statement read.

The strike notice was jointly backed by the Motorists Association of Kenya (MAK), matatu owners and operators, boda boda associations, digital cab operators, commuter representatives, borehole drilling machine operators, generator owners and other fuel-reliant sectors.

The alliance warned that continued increases in pump prices were threatening livelihoods and pushing operational costs beyond sustainable levels, especially for public transport operators who rely heavily on fuel.

Among the key demands presented to the government are the immediate withdrawal of the latest fuel price increase, harmonisation of fuel prices to curb illegal fuel adulteration and the disbandment of Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), which the group accused of enabling exploitative pricing.

The stakeholders also called for the liberalisation of fuel pricing to allow what they termed as “fair market-driven competition” and reduce excessive government control in the petroleum sector.

The alliance appealed to Kenyans affected by high transport and commodity costs to join the demonstrations beginning Monday, describing the action as a fight for “economic justice, fairness and the protection of livelihoods.”

📰 Source: Capital FM Kenya