Kenya is bracing for major transport disruption on Monday after the Transport Sector Alliance declared that its planned nationwide fuel strike will proceed from midnight.
In a joint statement issued after a high-level consultative meeting on Sunday, the alliance said no vehicle under its member networks would move on Monday, May 18, in protest against the latest fuel price increase announced by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority on May 14.
The alliance said the strike had been endorsed by matatu owners, truckers, digital taxi operators, boda boda riders, tour guides, bus operators, driving schools and private motorists, describing it as one of the largest coordinated industrial actions in Kenya’s history.
“The nationwide Transport Sector Fuel Strike scheduled for Monday, 18th May 2026, is fully on,” the statement said.
The transport operators argued that soaring fuel prices had become unbearable not only for the sector but also for ordinary Kenyans already struggling with the rising cost of living.
“This action is not only for transport operators, but for every Kenyan citizen. The ordinary mwananchi is the ultimate victim of high fuel prices, paying more for transport, food, electricity and essential commodities,” the alliance stated.
The strike announcement comes days after EPRA increased the price of petrol by Sh16.65 and diesel by Sh46.29 per litre, pushing pump prices in Nairobi to Sh214.25 and Sh242.92 respectively, while kerosene remained unchanged at Sh152.78.
The alliance is demanding the immediate reversal of the latest fuel price increase and wants petrol and diesel prices reduced to about Sh152 per litre, with a long-term target of between Sh140 and Sh150 per litre.
The transport sector players are also calling for the resignation or dismissal of Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi, the disbandment of EPRA and the establishment of what they describe as an independent, non-political energy regulation commission.
Other demands include an end to recurrent fuel shortages, accountability over alleged importation of substandard fuel, restoration of a competitive free-market fuel procurement system and the revival of the Changamwe Oil Refinery to process Kenya’s Turkana crude oil locally.
The alliance accused the government of failing to protect Kenyans from rising fuel costs despite Kenya already recording some of the highest pump prices in the region.
“Fuel is the lifeblood of the economy. When fuel prices rise beyond reason, the entire nation suffers,” the statement added.
The looming strike has already triggered concern among schools and institutions over safety and transport uncertainty.
One school advisory sent to parents on Sunday said learners would remain at home on Monday due to security concerns linked to the planned demonstrations.
“Due to uncertainties of safety of our learners, staff and yourselves occasioned by the planned nationwide strike, it is safer for the learners to be retained at home tomorrow,” the notice read.
The alliance said demonstrations would take place across cities, towns, municipalities and trading centres nationwide, insisting the action would remain peaceful and constitutional.
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