Former Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana has strongly condemned the government’s spiralling fuel prices, saying it was insensitive to the plight of the public as transport disruptions continue to hit most parts of the country.

Kibwana, in a morning interview with a local radio station on Monday, May 18, 2026, complained about the steeply rising fuel costs, saying it had aggravated the cost of living and brought public services like public transport to its knees.

“When you inflict such high prices on the people, it is as if the government were a sadist. It doesn’t understand when people are really hurting, when people require reprieve. So it’s a distant government, and it’s as if it doesn’t stay in Kenya,” Kibutha said.

Matatu Strike

The statement from the former governor coincides with a nationwide shutdown of matatu services in the country, which has kept the country’s passengers stranded and businesses unable to run as usual.

A majority of Kenyans on the morning hours of Monday, May 18, 2026, have been forced to trek to work and schools as a nationwide transport sector strike kicked off, protesting rising fuel prices

The Transport Sector alliance announced on Sunday that stakeholders in the sector had agreed that no vehicle would move starting midnight ahead of the Transport Sector Fuel Strike scheduled for Monday, 18 May 2026.

“The Alliance confirms that all transport subsectors have resolved to stand together in one of the largest coordinated industrial actions in Kenya’s history,” a statement read in part.

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.

EPRA May review

In its latest review, the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) indicated that the cost of super petrol and diesel has gone up by Ksh16.65 and Ksh46.29 per litre, respectively, while the price of kerosene remains unchanged.

In Nairobi, Super Petrol, Diesel and Kerosene will now retail at Ksh214.25, Ksh242.92 and Ksh152.78, respectively, effective May 15, 2026, at midnight for the next 30 days.