Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi announced that his ministry will engage in discussions with President William Ruto in an effort to address fuel price increases as motorists and transport operators threaten a nationwide strike.
Speaking on Saturday, May 16, during an ODM grassroots mobilisation tour in Nyakach, Kisumu County, Mbadi stated that the government recognizes the increasing discontent among Kenyans following the recent fuel price hike announced by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA).
The Treasury CS defended the government against criticism regarding the escalating fuel prices, asserting that the administration had implemented numerous measures to protect consumers from further expense increases.
Mbadi highlighted interventions including the fuel stabilization program and Value Added Tax (VAT) reductions on petroleum products, noting that the current situation was primarily caused by global market factors beyond Kenya’s direct influence.
“Even in the United States, which produces its own fuel, petroleum prices have increased by 60 percent. Worldwide, fuel prices have risen. We will take all necessary actions to reduce fuel prices in Kenya,” Mbadi stated.
The CS further revealed that his team would request an immediate meeting with President Ruto to discuss urgent measures designed to reduce the financial strain on consumers and alleviate tensions within the transportation industry.
“What we plan to do is meet with the President to ensure that through dialogue, we determine how to reduce petroleum product prices so that our citizens can find relief and not endure hardship due to escalating petroleum costs,” Mbadi added.
However, Mbadi did not specify when the meeting would occur or if other government entities would participate.
His comments came shortly after motorists, boda boda riders, matatu operators, digital cab drivers, cargo transporters, and tourist vehicle operators confirmed plans for a nationwide strike commencing Monday, May 18.
In a joint statement released under the Transport Alliance following a stakeholders’ meeting in Nairobi, the groups accused the government and EPRA of implementing “sharp and unjustified” fuel price increases that had intensified the already elevated cost of living.
The protests follow the most recent EPRA fuel review issued on Thursday, May 14, which raised the price of Super Petrol by Ksh16.65 per liter and Diesel by Ksh46.29 per liter for the May-June 2026 period.
After the review, Super Petrol is now selling at Ksh214.25 per liter, while Diesel has increased to Ksh242.92 per liter, prompting immediate fare increases by PSV operators and long-distance bus companies nationwide.
Simultaneously, political pressure regarding the fuel crisis continues to grow after Ndindi Nyoro formally requested Speaker Moses Wetang’ula to convene a session to discuss proposals targeting fuel price reductions of up to Ksh27 per liter.