Wiper leader Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka has called on the government to immediately reverse the recent fuel price increase and urged Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi to resign amid the ongoing nationwide matatu strike.
In a public statement released on Monday, Kalonzo blamed the government for the transport crisis that has left thousands of commuters stranded across the country.
“Today, hundreds of thousands of our fellow Kenyans — workers, students, traders and mothers — are stranded across the length and breadth of this nation,” Kalonzo said. “This is not a natural disaster. This is the calculated and foreseeable consequence of a William Samoei Ruto regime.”
The opposition leader accused the government of ignoring the economic struggles facing ordinary Kenyans following the latest fuel price review announced by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) on May 14.
According to Kalonzo, diesel prices increased by Ksh46.29 per litre while super petrol rose by Ksh16.65 per litre, worsening the cost of living for many households.
“This announcement was made without consultation, without compassion, and without any consideration for its devastating impact on Kenyan families,” he said.
Kalonzo defended the Transport Sector Alliance over the ongoing strike, saying the action was a legitimate response to government policies that had made operations difficult for transport operators.
“The Transport Sector Alliance did not act without cause and their strike is a legitimate response to illegitimate policy,” he said.
He warned that the disruption was already affecting businesses and supply chains across the country, with transport and commerce slowing down in several regions.
“The economic consequences are already severe and we see it,” Kalonzo stated. “Supply chains are disrupted, food prices are rising, and commerce from Mombasa to Kisumu, from Eldoret to Naivasha, is grinding to a halt.”
The former Vice President issued three demands to the government, including the immediate reversal of the fuel price hike, direct talks with transport stakeholders and the introduction of what he termed a transparent framework for stabilising fuel prices.
“Opiyo Wandayi must take the most consequential act of his tenure and one that history and the people of Kenya will remember: immediately reverse the fuel price hike and resign,” Kalonzo said.
He also urged President William Ruto to open what he described as genuine and immediate dialogue with transport sector players.
“Their grievances are real, their members are suffering, and stonewalling them is not governance; it is negligence,” he said.
Kalonzo further said the opposition was ready to support efforts aimed at resolving the crisis and protecting Kenyans from further economic hardship.
“As the United Alternative Government, we stand firmly with the people of Kenya,” he said. “This regime has auctioned and abandoned you, but we have not.”
Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi said the government is considering fresh measures to cushion Kenyans from rising fuel costs and will review the situation after President William Ruto returns from an official visit to Azerbaijan.
“We can only hope that this war will end, but even as we hope, we must make certain decisions. I am sure the government will sit again once the President returns to assess what more can be done,” Mbadi said.
“If we were to leave the prices without any intervention, diesel today would be costing not less than Sh35 more, and petrol would be costing over Sh70 more.”
He termed the strike unnecessary despite acknowledging the burden of high fuel prices.
“In my view, the matatu strike is completely uncalled for, even though the prices of fuel have gone up. My concern is that we are trying to solve a global problem by applying domestic means, which is not appropriate,” he added.
Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro has also called for an emergency parliamentary sitting to deliberate on possible interventions to reduce fuel prices.
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