Motorists Threaten to Stage Demos, Paralyse Transport over Fuel Price Hike: "Irrational"
- The Motorists Association of Kenya issued a list of demands to the Kenya Kwanza government over the recently increased fuel prices
- They threatened to take to the streets in protest if the government fails to adhere to the issued demands
- This comes days after the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority increased the prices of Super Petrol, Kerosene and Diesel
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Faith Chandianya, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and Current Affairs in Kenya
The Motorists Association of Kenya has condemned the recent hike in fuel prices, terming it 'unjustified'.
Source: Getty Images
This comes days after the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) increased the prices of super petrol, diesel, and kerosene by KSh 8.99, KSh 8.67 and KSh 9.65 per litre, respectively.
Super petrol now retails at KSh 186.31 from KSh 177.32, diesel at KSh 171.58 from KSh 162.91 and Kerosene at KSh 156.58 from KSh 146.93 per litre.
In a statement seen by TUKO.co.ke, motorists argued that the hike in fuel prices left them in utter disbelief as they were caught off guard.
"The Motorists Association of Kenya (MAK) wishes to strongly condemn the recent unjustified fuel price increase announced on 14th July 2025. This abrupt hike in price on both petrol and diesel by the Ministry of Energy through the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) caught motorists completely by surprise and left us shocked and lost for words," the statement read in part.
Have motorists threatened to stage demos?
In response to the fuel price hike, the motorists have threatened to take to the streets if the Kenya Kwanza government does not listen to their pleas.
They argue that the move to increase fuel prices was a deliberate move to exploit the Kenyan motorists.
The association further claims that the global fuel prices have remained below USD 70, which is approximately KSh 9000 a barrel, yet Kenyans are being denied access to the favourable fuel prices.
" EPRA has chosen to keep pump prices artificially high, in blatant violation of fair trade principles under WTO conventions and social justice. When world prices were dropping, EPRA reduced local prices by a paltry one shilling, insulting the millions of motorists who already sustain this government through oppressive taxation. Today, half the cost of fuel is made up of taxes, which is economically destructive and morally wrong," the statement further read.
What demands did motorists make to govt?
The motorists asked the government to ensure the return of the free market system, where pump prices are determined by world market forces.
They further called for the return of the Open Tender System (OTS), which allows the government to purchase fuel from the cheapest suppliers available to ensure that Kenyans enjoy the lowest fuel prices possible.
"The current irrational pricing is strangling the transport industry, which is the backbone of the economy. High prices suppress consumption, kill businesses, increase food prices & commodity and reduce government revenue. Lower prices would stimulate more economic activity, increasing revenue for both the private sector and the government, a true win-win for everyone," they added.
The motorists demanded immediate transparency, accountability and reversal of the fuel prices. In a bid to express their seriousness on the matter, the motorists announced their intention to take to the streets.
"If these demands are not met, motorists will have no choice but to pursue peaceful protests and court action to defend our right to fair, transparent, and affordable fuel pricing."
Why did EPRA increase fuel prices?
The fuel regulator cited an increase in the landed cost of imported petroleum products as the reason for the hike in fuel prices.
Source: Getty Images
Super petrol has increased its cost by 6.45%, diesel by 6.27% and kerosene by 6.95%, between May and June 2025.
EPRA also stated that the high international prices of Murban Crude Oil in May, compared to June 2025 at $72.63 (KSh 9,384) and $67.73 (KSh 8,751) per barrel, respectively, were the other cause of the increase.
Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
