Will Nationwide Transport Strike Ground Kenyan Supply Chains?

The Transport Alliance, a coalition representing public transport and logistics operators, has issued a nationwide strike notice effective Monday, 18 May 2026, threatening to cripple commuter travel and the movement of goods.

This coordinated industrial action brings together motorcycle riders, digital taxi drivers, and public service vehicle owners, who collectively manage the primary transit infrastructure for Kenya's workforce and commercial cargo.

The dispute stems from the monthly pricing review released by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), which introduced steep adjustments to petroleum costs across the country.

Under the new tariff cycle running from 15 May to 14 June 2026, the regulatory body raised the price of Super Petrol by Sh16.65 per litre, while Diesel jumped by Sh46.29 per litre.

In Nairobi, these adjustments pushed Super Petrol retail prices to Sh214.25 per litre, while Diesel reached a record high of Sh242.92 per litre, heavily squeezing commercial transporters.

During a high-level stakeholders' meeting convened in Nairobi, industry representatives resolved to halt operations and engage in peaceful demonstrations until the state intervenes.

The coalition demands the immediate withdrawal of the May pricing review, the harmonisation of fuel pricing to prevent product adulteration with kerosene, and the eventual disbandment of EPRA.

Transport operators emphasize that fuel expenditures dictate their baseline operational costs, and the current upward trajectory makes public transport and haulage financially unsustainable.

Fares are projected to surge by up to 50 percent if operations resume under the new pricing structure, as owners attempt to protect their margins from deteriorating.

The planned shutdown is poised to impact urban infrastructure networks significantly, with major arterial roads likely to experience severe disruptions if thousands of public service vehicles stay off the grid.

Logistics firms, commuter associations, and private motorists have voiced concerns regarding the ripple effects of the strike on daily commerce and the broader economy.

Government officials have yet to issue a formal response to the alliance's ultimatum, leaving commuters and businesses to brace for widespread logistical paralysis at the start of the week.