Public transport operators have announced an immediate 50 per cent increase in fares and a nationwide strike beginning Monday, May 18, warning that roads across the country will be blocked until the government addresses the impact of rising fuel prices on their operations.
The announcement was made on Friday, 15th May, 2026, by Matatu Owners Association President Albert Karakacha, speaking on behalf of matatu owners, tour vehicle operators, and boda boda associations.
“On Monday, there will be strictly no movement of any vehicles. All the roads will be blocked until the government listens to our cry, because we have been promised, but everything we are promised has not come to fulfilment,” Karakacha said.
He confirmed that the fare increase takes effect immediately, with no exceptions for transport network companies.
“All transport network companies, wherever they are, be aware that we are going to increase our prices by 50 per cent because we don’t have the mechanism. I caution you not to block any driver. If you don’t want to go the hard way, make sure you cooperate,” he warned.
Karakacha also directed sharp criticism at the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority, accusing it of failing to protect consumers and transport operators from the rising cost of fuel and instead becoming a tool for cartels.
“EPRA was set with the hope that it would regulate these industries to the benefit of society. Now it has become the biggest place for cartels to tax Kenyans to death,” he said.
The strike announcement comes a day after EPRA increased the price of Super Petrol by Ksh16.65 per litre and Diesel by Ksh46.29 per litre in its latest monthly fuel review. Super Petrol in Nairobi now retails at Ksh214.25 per litre, while Diesel has risen to Ksh242.92.
