Thousands of Kenyan commuters were stranded and businesses paralysed for the second day on Tuesday as public transport operators went on a nationwide strike to protest against recent increases in the cost of fuel.
This was despite a late-night announcement by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority that it had reduced the cost of diesel by Sh10.
(EPRA) Monday revised fuel prices after a six-hour consultative meeting with public transport operators over an increase in diesel and super petrol prices during the recent pump price review.
But that seems not to have calmed an ongoing strike by public transport operators.
Negotiations led by Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir and Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi stretched into the night, but no agreement was reached by the time the parties addressed the media at around 9:30 p.m.
In a joint press briefing, Wandayi initially suggested that progress had been made and that the discussions had yielded results. However, officials from the matatu sector interrupted the briefing, insisting that no final deal had been agreed upon.
The stakeholders said there was consensus on addressing concerns over fuel adulteration, with proposals expected to lower the price of diesel while increasing the price of kerosene to match diesel rates.
The move, they argued, would eliminate the price disparity that has encouraged the illegal mixing of the two fuels.
According to the latest review, diesel prices were reduced by Sh10.06 per litre, kerosene prices increased by Sh38.60 per litre while super petrol prices remained unchanged for the next 25 days, from May 19 to June 14, 2026.
Following the price revision, diesel prices in Nairobi will now retail at Sh232.86, Kerosene at Sh191.38 while Super petrol remains unchanged at Sh214.25.
The operators wanted the price of diesel to be reduced by at least Sh46.
“EPRA has recalculated the maximum retail pump prices that will be in force from May 19, 2026 to June 14, 2026 following a petition by public transport sector operators on the need to minimize the risk of motor fuel adulteration,” EPRA announced.
EPRA said the changes followed concerns raised by public transport sector operators over the large price gap between diesel and kerosene, which the government fears could encourage fuel adulteration.
The regulator explained that the adjustments are aimed at minimizing the risk of illegal mixing of fuels, especially after diesel prices had climbed to record levels in the latest monthly review.
Earlier this month, EPRA had raised diesel prices by Sh46.29 per litre and petrol by Sh16.65 per litre due to the ongoing Middle East war.
The fuel price hikes had triggered nationwide strike, with matatu operators halting transport services unless the government intervenes.
With the changes, in Mombasa, Super Petrol will now retail at Sh211.09 per litre, Diesel at Sh229.58 and Kerosene at Sh188.09, making the coastal city among the areas with the lowest fuel prices in the country.
In Nakuru, Super Petrol will retail at Sh213.15, Diesel at Sh232.27 and Kerosene at Sh190.81 while in Kisumu, Super Petrol will retail at Sh213.91, Diesel at Sh233.08 and Kerosene at Sh191.63.
Despite the revised prices, transport operators have rejected the new adjustments, particularly the reduction in diesel prices, arguing that the Ksh10.06 reduction announced by EPRA is insufficient and insisted that diesel prices should instead be reduced by Sh46 per litre to cushion the public transport sector from rising operational costs.
The operators maintained Monday that the nationwide strike remained warning that matatus and other public service vehicles will stay off the roads until the government addresses their demands fully.
Key roads in Nairobi remained largely empty on Tuesday, forcing some commuters to walk to work, with other parts of the country also affected by the transport crisis. Businesses in parts of Nairobi remained shut and schools asked students to stay at home.
Protesters have been barricading roads and lighting fires on the roads as the protests continue.
The strike comes days after the authorities raised petroleum prices to record levels, with costs increasing by more than 20%.
Kenya, like many other African countries, relies heavily on fuel imports from the Gulf, a supply route disrupted by the US-Israel conflict with Iran that began on 28 February. Even though a ceasefire has been declared, fuel prices have remained high as the Strait of Hormuz, where a fifth of the world’s oil passes through, is still blocked.
In parts of Nairobi and elsewhere across the country, police clashed with protesters, using tear gas to disperse them. This came amid reports of demonstrators stopping and harassing some motorists.
Ahead of the strike, the police assured Kenyans that security measures would be in place and warned against any disruptive conduct.
The association representing transport operators had earlier urged all vehicle users, including private motorists, public transport buses locally known as matatus and truckers, to stay off the roads as part of a coordinated shutdown.
“This action is not only for transport operators, but for every Kenyan citizen,” the Transport Sector Alliance (TSA) said in a statement.
They demanded the cost be reduced by Sh46.
The alliance accused the government of not doing enough to shield Kenyans from the rising fuel prices, amid a broader high cost-of-living crisis.
It has called for the reversal of the price increases announced last week, and for fuel prices to be reduced by about 35%.
Matatu Owners Association boss Albert Karagacha directed operators to keep their vehicles off the roads for a second consecutive day on Tuesday until further notice is issued.
Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi said the strike is completely uncalled for.
“Why are we trying to solve a global problem using domestic means? We have not caused a US-Iran war.
“Matatu strike uncalled for. Fuel prices would be higher without government interventions. This is not a time to make emotional decisions,” he said.
The high cost of fuel is being blamed for increases in the price of food and other basic goods and services, with public service vehicles already raising commuter fares.
Last month, the government cut VAT on fuel from 16% to 8% until July but there have been calls for it to do more.
At least four people were killed on Monday in separate incidents in Kakamega, Kiambu and Nakuru.
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