By Andrew Kariuki
Former Chief Justice David Maraga has called on Parliament to urgently convene and approve emergency measures aimed at cushioning Kenyans from soaring fuel prices amid the ongoing nationwide transport shutdown.
In a statement shared on X on Monday, Maraga expressed solidarity with millions of Kenyans affected by the transport paralysis, saying the government must move quickly to ease the growing economic burden facing ordinary citizens.
While acknowledging that the current fuel crisis has been worsened by the ongoing conflict involving Iran and global oil market disruptions, Maraga argued that responsible governments across the world are taking active steps to shield citizens from the rising cost of living.
He proposed three immediate interventions, including the removal of VAT on all fuel products, temporary suspension of fuel levies to stabilize pump prices and the reallocation of funds lost through what he termed “budgeted corruption” to help address the energy crisis.
Maraga’s remarks come as the country experiences one of the largest coordinated transport shutdowns in recent years following the latest fuel price increases announced by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA).
On Sunday, the Transport Sector Alliance announced that transport operators across multiple sectors had unanimously agreed to ground operations beginning midnight on Monday in protest over high fuel costs and harsh economic conditions.
The strike has affected passenger transport, cargo movement, ride-hailing services, boda bodas, school buses, tourism transport and logistics services across the country.
“The Alliance confirms that all transport subsectors have resolved to stand together in one of the largest coordinated industrial actions in Kenya’s history,” the group stated.
The shutdown forced thousands of Kenyans to walk to work and school on Monday morning as transport services remained unavailable in many parts of the country.
In its latest monthly review, EPRA increased the price of Super Petrol by KSh16.65 per litre and Diesel by KSh46.29, while kerosene prices remained unchanged.
Under the new prices, motorists in Nairobi are now paying KSh214.25 per litre for Super Petrol, KSh242.92 for Diesel and KSh152.78 for Kerosene.
The strike has also disrupted learning in several schools, with some institutions suspending classes due to the grounding of school transport services and difficulties faced by both students and teachers in accessing schools.
