By Ongaga Ongaga
A nationwide transport sector fuel strike will begin at midnight on Monday after stakeholders across Kenya’s transport industry unanimously agreed to withdraw services in protest against rising fuel prices and Government policies in the petroleum sector.
In a joint statement issued after a high-level consultative meeting held on Sunday, the Transport Sector Alliance declared that “no vehicle shall move” once the strike takes effect, describing the action as one of the largest coordinated industrial protests in Kenya’s history.
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The alliance said all transport subsectors, including passenger transport, cargo and logistics, ride-hailing services, motorcycle transport, tourism transport, driving schools, school buses and private motorists, had agreed to participate in the industrial action.
“This action is not only for transport operators, but for every Kenyan citizen,” the statement read.
“The ordinary mwananchi is the ultimate victim of high fuel prices, paying more for transport, food, electricity, and essential commodities.”
The alliance claimed that farmers, business owners, workers and consumers across the country had already expressed solidarity with the strike and were expected to participate in demonstrations in towns, shopping centres and local communities.
The organisations that endorsed the strike include the Federation of Public Transport Sector (FPTS), Matatu Owners Association, Rig Owners Association, Motorist Association of Kenya (MAK), Association of Matatu Transport Owners (AMTO), and Digital Boda Drivers and Deliveries Association.
Others were Truckers Association of Kenya, Digital Taxi Association of Kenya, Tour Guide Association, Association of Bus Operators, Counties Commuters Welfare Association, Mass Mobility Operators Association, Driving School Association and private motorists.
The alliance said the “unprecedented unity” across the transport industry gives the strike “99 per cent success.”
Among the key demands by the protesters is the immediate reversal of the fuel price increase announced on May 14, 2026, and the standardisation of all petroleum products at the current kerosene price of Sh152.78 per litre.
The alliance is also demanding that petrol and diesel prices be reduced to about Sh152 per litre, with a long-term target of between Sh140 and Sh150 per litre.
The group further called for the resignation or dismissal of the Cabinet Secretary for Energy and Petroleum, accountability for officials accused of allowing the importation and sale of substandard fuel, and an immediate end to recurrent fuel shortages.
Other demands include the restoration of a competitive free-market fuel procurement system to replace the current Government-to-Government arrangement, and a response by Energy CS Opiyo Wandayi to a memorandum submitted by stakeholders.
They also called for the disbandment of the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) in favour of an independent and non-political Energy Regulation Commission.
The alliance also wants fuel price reviews to be conducted every three months in the presence of stakeholder representatives, restructuring of the National Oil Corporation of Kenya, and the revival of the Changamwe Oil Refinery to refine Turkana crude oil locally.
“Enough is enough. Fuel is the lifeblood of the economy. When fuel prices rise beyond reason, the entire nation suffers,” the statement said.
The alliance argued that Kenya should not continue paying some of the highest fuel prices in the region, noting that countries such as Ethiopia maintain significantly lower pump prices despite being landlocked.
Stakeholders also urged private motorists to join the demonstrations, warning that silence would amount to accepting high fuel costs, expensive food prices, rising transport fares and a struggling economy.
The demonstrations are expected to take place in cities, municipalities, towns and trading centres across the country, with farmers encouraged to protest near their homes and business owners near their premises.
The alliance insisted the strike would remain peaceful and constitutional, saying its aim was to compel the Government to listen to the concerns of transporters and ordinary citizens.
