Former Chief Justice David Maraga has called for urgent tax and fiscal reforms on fuel, saying Kenya must take immediate steps to cushion citizens from rising living costs as a nationwide transport strike disrupts movement and economic activity.

Taking to his official X account on Monday, May 18, 2026, Maraga expressed solidarity with Kenyans affected by the ongoing paralysis of the transport sector, which has seen matatus, buses, boda bodas, and freight operators withdraw services in protest against high fuel prices.

In his statement, Maraga said ordinary citizens were bearing the brunt of what he described as governance failures that have worsened the cost of living and weakened economic stability.

“I wish to express my solidarity with Kenyans who have to bear the burden of bad governance that has led to the paralysis of the transport sector today. While we acknowledge that the fuel crisis is a direct result of the war against Iran, every responsible government is taking steps to cushion their citizens from the high cost of living,” Maraga stated.

Call for immediate parliamentary action

Maraga urged Parliament to convene urgently and implement a series of emergency measures aimed at stabilising fuel prices and easing pressure on households and businesses.

He proposed the exemption of all fuel products from VAT, saying the tax was contributing significantly to inflated pump prices.

He also called for the temporary removal of fuel levies, arguing that such charges were worsening the affordability crisis at a time when citizens were already struggling.

The United Green Movement (UGM) party leader further proposed that the government redirect funds he described as being lost through corruption into addressing the energy and fuel crisis.

“As a first step, Parliament should convene immediately to: exempt all fuel products from VAT; Temporarily remove all fuel levies to stabilise the fuel prices; redirect more resources being squandered through budgeted corruption to alleviate the energy crisis,” Maraga wrote on X.

Strike impact intensifies pressure

His remarks come as the nationwide transport strike continues to disrupt transport networks across major towns and cities, affecting commuters, businesses, and supply chains.

The strike has intensified public debate over fuel pricing, taxation, and government intervention, with calls growing for urgent dialogue between stakeholders in the transport and energy sectors.

Maraga’s intervention adds to mounting pressure on policymakers as the economic impact of the shutdown continues to deepen across the country.

Several roads affected

Protests erupted in Kitengela town on Monday, May 18, 2026, as sections of key roads were barricaded during the ongoing nationwide matatu strike over high fuel prices, bringing transport activity to a standstill.

Demonstrators lit bonfires using tyres and used stones to block roads, effectively rendering several routes impassable and disrupting movement within and around the fast-growing town in Kajiado County.

The Namanga Road section stretching through the busy Kitengela town was the most affected.

A section of Thika Road was also barricaded in the morning, causing major disruption to transport along one of Nairobi’s busiest highways.

The affected stretch is around the Roysambu area, where protesters blocked the road using stones and burning tyres, bringing traffic flow to a standstill and leaving motorists stranded.