By Brian Kiprono - Reporter
Kenya, May 17, 2026 - Kenyans could face major travel disruptions on Monday after transport operators across the country confirmed a nationwide shutdown over soaring fuel prices.
From matatus and boda bodas to taxis, buses and cargo trucks, operators say no vehicles will be allowed on the roads from midnight as pressure mounts on the government to address the rising cost of fuel.
In a strongly worded joint statement released Sunday evening, the Transport Sector Alliance announced that the strike would go on as planned after a consultative meeting involving key players in the industry.
“Following today’s high-level consultative meeting, all stakeholders in Kenya’s transport sector have unanimously reaffirmed that no vehicle will move starting midnight today,” the statement read.
The alliance described the protest as one of the biggest coordinated industrial actions in Kenya’s transport history.
The planned shutdown has brought together matatu operators, truck drivers, ride-hailing services, boda boda associations, school transport providers, tourism transport companies and private motorists.
Industry groups backing the action include the Matatu Owners Association, Truckers Association of Kenya, Motorists Association of Kenya and Digital Taxi Association of Kenya among others.
The strike follows the recent sharp increase in fuel prices announced by EPRA, which saw petrol and diesel prices rise significantly, sparking outrage among transport operators and consumers.
But the alliance says the protests go beyond transport businesses.
“This action is not only for transport operators, but for every Kenyan citizen,” the statement said.
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“The ordinary mwananchi is the ultimate victim of high fuel prices, paying more for transport, food, electricity and essential commodities.”
Transport stakeholders are demanding an immediate reversal of the latest fuel price hike and want petrol and diesel prices reduced to around KSh152 per litre.
They are also pushing for wider reforms in the energy sector, including the disbandment of EPRA, restructuring of the National Oil Corporation of Kenya and revival of the Changamwe Oil Refinery.
The alliance criticised the current government-to-government fuel importation system and called for a return to a competitive open-market arrangement.
Organisers are now urging farmers, business owners and private motorists to join demonstrations in towns and trading centres across the country.
“This is a peaceful, constitutional action intended to compel the government to listen to the voice of transporters and ordinary citizens,” the alliance stated.
With public transport expected to grind to a halt in many towns and cities, thousands of commuters are likely to be affected if no last-minute agreement is reached before midnight.