KISUMU, May 2026 – A diverse group of transport stakeholders in Kisumu County has urged the government to immediately reduce the fuel levy following a recent surge in pump prices.
During a joint press conference held at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Sports Ground on Monday the 18th, Charles Omondi Obuya, Chair of the Matatu Owners Association (MOA) in Kisumu County, reiterated that local operators fully support the ongoing nationwide strikes aimed at alleviating “the pain at the pump.”
“We in the matatu business are suffering from the recent increases in fuel prices. We, therefore, are requesting the government to review the current levies to lower the overall costs, because Kenyans are suffering,” Obuya pleaded.
While recognising that global fuel pricing remains volatile, the leadership maintained that domestic strategies to address this issue are within the government’s reach.
Reduce Fuel Levy
Stakeholders specifically identified the Road Maintenance Levy, currently nearly Sh25 per litre, as a key target for reduction. They questioned the rationale of heavily taxing fuel to fund infrastructure when high operational costs have forced operators to ground the very vehicles designed to use those roads.
The operators also highlighted that their economic dilemma includes working with fixed passenger rates.
“Raising fares drives commuters away, effectively killing business volumes.
According to Peter Onyango Otieno, Winam Progressive Taxi CBO Chairman, these circumstances have led to stagnant taxi and car hire rates.
“We find ourselves in a situation where long-term clients expect predictable, fixed pricing, making sudden rate hikes impractical,” he said.
Mr Otieno also explained that many operators are driving vehicles acquired through bank loans and are now unable to meet their monthly repayments.
They further lamented that reduced daily profit margins have made it difficult to pay school fees and meet basic family obligations.
Peaceful Demos
A notable aspect of Monday’s briefing was praise for Kisumu’s mature protest approach. Unlike previous cycles of political unrest, the transport sector deliberately chose a peaceful, economic stay-away over confrontational street protests.
Charles Obuya stated, “We witnessed a very peaceful demonstration in Kisumu today, where no road was barricaded and no tyres were burned. That is a good achievement.”
His counterpart, Peter Otieno, added that they urged their community to remain quiet and silent… “to peacefully express our dissatisfaction with the recent rapid fuel increases.”
James Ochieng-Omwa, a gazetted member of the County Transport and Safety Committee, emphasised that a simple instruction was given to participating operators.
“We instructed them to leave their vehicles at home while keeping roads clear for essential services, hospital access, and non-participating commuters,” he explained.
In past demonstrations, he observed, it was: “‘us against us.’ The businesses and lives lost belonged to Kisumu. This time, we say no more bloodshed.”
Shem Ochuodho, both Kisumu Bus Park Chairman and Vice Chairman of MOA Kisumu County, stated that the fuel price surge is affecting the entire country.
“Our cry is the same as the cry in Mombasa or any city. The only difference is that we are not burning tyres or infiltrating roads with goons.”
He also made a strong appeal to national lawmakers, urging them to use their constitutional powers to intervene, particularly calling on the Departmental Committee on Energy and Petroleum to regulate the soaring costs before the crisis spills into other sectors.
“Rising costs are already impacting power tariffs, with Kenya Power’s unit costs rising and threatening the viability of various commercial sectors,” Ochuodho warned.
Joining the protest to strengthen the call, the Truckers Association of Kenya (TAK) Nyanza Chapter officially aligned with the peaceful nationwide demonstrations.
Shrinking Profit Margins
In a statement from Chapter Chairman Paul Omollo, the association described transport as the “backbone of Kenya’s economy” and warned that high operational costs, delayed payments, and shrinking profit margins are increasing the cost of basic commodities for ordinary citizens.
TAK’s primary demands included an immediate review and reduction of national fuel prices.
“We need full transparency in the fuel pricing formula and tax structure, and meaningful engagement between the government and transport stakeholders,” Omollo said.
The Nyanza trucking leadership affirmed that the industrial action will continue until the government engages in negotiations with practical fiscal solutions.
