Kenya roads empty as transport strike protests fuel price hike

Nairobi’s roads fell unusually quiet as a nationwide transport shutdown began at midnight, leaving commuters on foot, bus stations deserted and some schools asking students to stay at home. The disruption spread quickly through the capital, where business activity in the central business district was subdued and a heavy police presence followed the strike call.

The stoppage was declared by 14 transport industry groups, including matatu operators, boda boda riders, cargo transporters, digital taxi drivers, bus operators, tour vehicle operators, driving schools and private motorists. The groups said no vehicle would move until the government reversed the latest fuel price increases, and transport leaders directed members to raise fares by up to 50 per cent, saying the higher costs had made operations unsustainable.

The strike was triggered by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority’s monthly fuel review for the May 15 to June 14, 2026 pricing cycle. EPRA raised super petrol by Sh16.65 per litre and diesel by Sh46.29 per litre, setting Nairobi pump prices at Sh214.25 for super petrol and Sh242.92 for diesel. The regulator said the new maximum retail prices were calculated under Section 101(y) of the Petroleum Act 2019 and Legal Notice No. 192 of 2022.

On the streets, the effect was immediate. Commuters were reported walking to work, while bus stations across Nairobi emptied out. In Eastlands and along Jogoo Road, the disruption reflected how quickly a fuel dispute can spill into the routines of schooling, trade and daily travel. Thousands of parents across major towns were thrown into confusion as several learning institutions suspended classes or warned that operations could be interrupted.

The confrontation has reopened a familiar political fault line in Kenya: who bears the cost when fuel prices jump and whether the state has a credible buffer for households and workers who depend on transport every day. The latest shock lands in a wider cost-of-living squeeze, with operators warning that higher pump prices quickly feed into food, electricity and other essentials. For now, the strike has shown how fast an energy decision can paralyse movement, close classrooms and slow commerce within hours.