Maraga urges Parliament to convene immediately, proposes three-step plan to lower fuel prices

Former Chief Justice David Maraga has expressed solidarity with Kenyans affected by the nationwide transport shutdown and urged Parliament to convene immediately to approve a package of measures he says would cushion the public from high fuel prices.

In a post on X on Monday, Maraga said while the fuel crisis is a direct result of the war against Iran, “every responsible government” is taking steps to shield citizens from the rising cost of living.

He proposed three immediate interventions: exempting all fuel products from VAT, temporarily removing all fuel levies to stabilise pump prices, and redirecting more resources lost through what he termed “budgeted corruption” to help alleviate the energy crisis.

Maraga’s comments come as a majority of Kenyans were forced to trek to work and school on Monday morning after a nationwide transport sector strike kicked off in protest over rising fuel prices.

The Transport Sector Alliance said on Sunday that stakeholders in the sector had “unanimously reaffirmed” that no vehicle would move starting midnight ahead of the Transport Sector Fuel Strike scheduled for Monday, May 18, 2026.

The group said the shutdown involves passenger transport, cargo and logistics, ride-hailing services, motorcycle transport, tourism transport, driving schools, school buses and private motorists.

“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 statement said.

The Alliance said the strike is meant to protest what it termed unaffordable fuel prices and harsh economic conditions, arguing that high pump prices are driving up the cost of transport, food, electricity and other essential commodities.

In its latest review, the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) indicated that the cost of Super Petrol and Diesel increased by Sh16.65 and Sh46.29 per litre, respectively, while the price of kerosene remained unchanged.

In Nairobi, Super Petrol, Diesel and Kerosene now retail at Sh214.25, Sh242.92 and Sh152.78 per litre for the next 30 days. In Mombasa, prices are Sh211.09 for Super Petrol, Sh239.64 for Diesel and Sh149.49 for Kerosene.

In Nakuru, Super Petrol is retailing at Sh213.15, Diesel at Sh242.33 and Kerosene at Sh152.21.

The shutdown has disrupted business operations and movement across the country, with some schools suspending classes due to the expected grounding of school buses.