Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has sharply criticised the government over the latest fuel price hike, accusing President William Ruto’s administration of subjecting Kenyans to avoidable economic pain before promising delayed interventions.

Taking it to his X handle on Monday, May 18, 2026, Sifuna responded to comments made by Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, who said the government would meet again upon Ruto’s return from Azerbaijan to discuss further measures to buffer Kenyans from the rising cost of fuel. Sifuna has questioned the government on the reason it delays relief measures after the fuel prices have risen.

“What sort of logic is this, really? Fuel pricing is a predictable monthly event! Every single month, we know the price will be reviewed. Shouldn’t you ‘protect Kenyans’ when conducting the review in the first instance? We are seeing a pattern here where Kasongo throws us pain first, then “reconvenes” to give us Panadol,” Sifuna said.

The ODM’s outspoken secretary general, allied to the Linda Mwananchi faction of the party, has said that the government was not doing its job to protect ordinary people from the high cost of living, as it had time to look ahead to the month’s fuel review process.

Fuel hike and Matatu protests

The remarks are on the heels of rising public anger over the latest hike in the cost of fuel, which has raised concerns over a potential surge in the cost of basic commodities in the country, as well as in transport services.

The fuel hike has already caused trouble in the country, with matatu operators and drivers calling for protests and strike action in reaction to the increasing cost of fuel. The nationwide protests commenced on Monday, May 18, 2026, as transportation services and businesses remained paralysed in major towns.  

The sharp rise in pump prices is a burden on the already hard-working families, and the government has little choice but to respond to oil market pressures and taxes.

Matatu operators have termed the price hikes as unjustified and questioned the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority’s (EPRA) move to increase the price of diesel in two consecutive months while kerosene prices remained unchanged.

His sentiments come as the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) increased the cost of super petrol and diesel by Ksh16.65 and Ksh46.29 per litre, respectively, while the price of kerosene remained unchanged.

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

The price spike also saw fuel prices in Mombasa for super petrol, diesel and kerosene retailing at Ksh211.09, Ksh239.64 and Ksh149.49, respectively.