MOMBASA, Kenya—A fresh wave of public anger has erupted across the country after the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) announced a sudden downward review of diesel prices barely days after imposing painful fuel hikes that triggered a nationwide matatu strike.
The latest review, announced on Monday night, reduced diesel prices by KSh10.06 per litre while petrol prices remained unchanged. Kerosene prices, however, rose sharply by over KSh38 per litre, further angering households already struggling with the high cost of living.
In Mombasa, where the impact of the strike remained visible Tuesday morning, major roads and bus stages appeared unusually deserted as public transport operators kept their vehicles off the roads in protest.
Commuters were left stranded in several parts of the county as matatu operators maintained that the government’s latest move was insufficient and failed to address the deeper economic burden facing the transport sector.
Under the new EPRA review for the May 19 to June 14 pricing cycle, motorists in Mombasa are expected to pay approximately KSh211.09 for Super Petrol, KSh229.58 for Diesel and KSh188.09 for Kerosene.
However, the abrupt review has now raised serious questions among Kenyans, many of whom accuse the government of manipulating fuel prices for political convenience.
Motorists and PSV operators who spoke in Mombasa accused authorities of “playing games with Kenyans’ lives” by reversing diesel prices barely a week after defending the earlier hikes.
“What changed within days? The government told us prices had gone up because of tensions in the Middle East, yet the conflict is still ongoing,” said one frustrated matatu operator at the Likoni Ferry crossing.
Others argued that the latest reduction had exposed inconsistencies in the government’s explanation on how local fuel prices are determined.
“Kenyans are not fools. They increased prices without mercy, caused suffering everywhere, then suddenly reduce diesel and expect people to clap for them,” another commuter said.
The nationwide matatu strike, which began after operators warned that soaring fuel prices would cripple the sector, continued to paralyse transport services in several towns and cities.
Matatu owners and drivers insist the cost of diesel remains too high to sustain operations and have vowed not to resume services until further consultations are held.
The strike has disrupted business activities, delayed movement of workers and students and intensified pressure on President William Ruto’s administration over the rising cost of living.
Critics now claim the government may have bowed to mounting public outrage and pressure from the transport sector after days of backlash following the fuel price hikes.
Some Kenyans have even accused powerful cartels and politicians within the energy sector of exploiting ordinary wananchi for profit while using global conflicts as justification for local economic pain.
As the transport paralysis persists, many Kenyans are now demanding greater transparency from EPRA and the government on the formula used to determine fuel prices, arguing that ordinary citizens should not continue bearing the burden of abrupt and unexplained price fluctuations.
