Transport operators nationwide strike to start from midnight over fuel price hikes
Transport operators nationwide strike to start from midnight over fuel price hikes
Transport associations have confirmed they will begin a nationwide strike at midnight over the latest fuel price increases, saying the high cost of fuel has made operations unsustainable and is hurting businesses and households.
Officials from the transport and borehole drilling sectors announced the plan during a brief press conference, saying all public service, commercial and private vehicles would stop operating until further notice.
“Effective today at midnight, all public service, commercial vehicles and private vehicles across Kenya shall cease operations until further notice due to the unbearable rise in fuel prices [and] harsh economic conditions affecting transport operators and common mwananchi,” said Cornelius Chepsoi, chairman of the Rig Owners Association.
The group termed the price hikes unjustified and questioned the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority’s (EPRA) move to increase the price of diesel by Sh76 per litre within two months while kerosene prices remained unchanged.
Chepsoi called on the government to find ways to bring down prices, including reducing taxes or using the Petroleum Development Levy (PDL) fund.
“Whether they reduce taxes or they utilise PDL or they raise money from elsewhere, bei ya mafuta ianguke na ianguke vizuri,” he said.
Joseph Bundi, secretary general of the Meru Matatu Association, said the strike affects all categories of road users and urged Kenyans to support the action.
“Hata watu wa malori… boda boda, gari ndogo, taxi… hii shida ni ya kila mtu kwa nchi nzima. Tunaomba kila mtu atu-support kwa hii mgomo ndio serikali iskize sauti ya mwananchi,” he said.
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In Meru, tout Elvis Kirimi said demonstrations were planned for Monday over the fuel price increases.
“KESHO ni maandamano… tunaenda kuandamania mafuta,” he said.
Meanwhile, the dispute over fuel prices has moved to court, with petitioner Francis Awino filing a case at the High Court seeking to stop implementation of the new pump prices.
Awino argues that the latest fuel adjustments were implemented without adequate public participation and transparency, and wants the court to compel EPRA and the National Treasury to publish a detailed breakdown of the pricing formula used for the May-June review cycle.
He is seeking disclosure of landed fuel costs, applicable taxes and levies, exchange-rate assumptions, profit margins and the criteria used in determining pump prices.
Awino also wants an explanation on how Sh5 billion from the Petroleum Development Levy Fund was utilised to cushion consumers, and seeks orders stopping further use of the fund without full disclosure, an allocation framework and accountability mechanisms.
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