Millions of Kenyan commuters woke up to devastating news on Friday, May 15, 2026 — matatu fares are going up by 50 per cent, effective immediately, and a nationwide Public Service Vehicle (PSV) strike is set to begin on Monday, May 18, 2026. If you rely on public transport to get to work, school, or business, this directly affects your pocket and your movement.
The dramatic announcement came just hours after the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) released its latest fuel pricing review, sending shockwaves through the transport industry. Here is a full breakdown of what happened, what it means for you, and what the government is saying about it.
EPRA Fuel Price Increase May 2026: The Trigger Behind the Crisis
The root cause of the fare hike traces directly to EPRA's latest fuel pricing cycle. The regulatory authority announced the following price changes effective May 2026:
| Fuel Type | Price Change |
|---|
| Petrol | +Ksh 16.65 per litre |
| Diesel | +Ksh 46.29 per litre |
| Kerosene | Unchanged |
The Ksh 46.29 per litre increase in diesel is particularly devastating for the transport industry, as most matatus, buses, and trucks run on diesel. This single price adjustment has dramatically raised the daily operational costs for PSV operators across Kenya, pushing many to the edge of financial viability.
PSV operators say the fuel price jump — coming on top of existing economic pressures — has made it impossible to continue running normal operations at current fare rates without incurring losses.
50% Matatu Fare Hike: How Much More Will You Pay?
Representatives from Kenya's transport sector addressed the press on Friday, May 15, making it clear that the new fares would take effect immediately across all matatu routes in Nairobi and other parts of the country.
What the 50% Fare Increase Looks Like in Practice
| Previous Fare | New Fare (After 50% Hike) |
|---|
| Ksh 50 | Ksh 75 |
| Ksh 100 | Ksh 150 |
| Ksh 200 | Ksh 300 |
| Ksh 500 | Ksh 750 |
For the average Kenyan commuter making two trips daily, this means an extra Ksh 50 to Ksh 300 spent on transport every single day — a significant additional burden on already stretched household budgets.
Albert Karakacha, a representative of the matatu association, confirmed the hike at the press conference:
"We are also urging all our investors in the public transport that, effective immediately, we are increasing our fares by 50 per cent."
He added that the elevated fares would remain in place until the government responds to their demands for relief on fuel costs.
Nationwide PSV Strike: No Matatus on Monday, May 18
Beyond the fare hike, the transport sector has issued an even more disruptive warning — a complete shutdown of all PSVs starting Monday, May 18, 2026.
Karakacha was blunt in his warning to both the government and the public:
"On Monday, there will be strictly no movement of any vehicles. All the roads will be blocked until the government listens to our cry because we had been promised, but the promises did not come to fruition."
What to Expect During the Strike
- All matatu routes in Nairobi and other major towns will be affected
- Roads may be blocked by striking operators
- The strike will continue until the government meets their demands for cheaper or subsidised fuel
- Operators are calling on fellow motorists and transport stakeholders to support the cause
This strike is expected to cause massive disruptions across major urban centres including Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, and Eldoret — affecting hundreds of thousands of daily commuters who depend entirely on public transport.
What Is the Government Saying?
As the transport sector sounded the alarm, Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi responded to growing public concern, speaking publicly on Friday afternoon.
Government's Explanation for the Fuel Price Hike
The CS attributed the sharp rise in fuel prices to growing instability in the global oil market, primarily driven by ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East — a factor beyond Kenya's direct control.
Government's Response and Proposed Measures
CS Wandayi stated that the government had already begun taking action, including:
- Active stakeholder engagements across the energy, transport, manufacturing, and business sectors
- Identifying practical and sustainable interventions to cushion consumers from the full impact of rising fuel costs
- Committing to minimise the ripple effects of global oil price instability on Kenyan households and businesses
However, no specific relief measures or subsidies were announced at the time of the press conference — a gap that the matatu operators say is exactly why they have chosen to strike.
Why This Fuel Crisis Is Bigger Than Just Matatu Fares
The 50% fare hike and the looming PSV strike are symptoms of a much deeper economic strain gripping Kenya's transport and logistics sector. Here is why this crisis extends far beyond commuter fares:
1. Cost of Living Impact
Higher transport costs feed directly into the prices of goods and services. When trucks and lorries pay more for diesel, the cost of moving food, medicine, and manufactured goods rises — and those costs are ultimately passed to the consumer.
2. Business and Economic Productivity
Workers who cannot afford the new fares — or who are stranded by the Monday strike — miss work, lose wages, and reduce productivity. Small business owners and vendors who depend on daily movement are among the hardest hit.
3. School and Healthcare Access
Students commuting to school and patients travelling to health facilities will face the same transport disruption. For families already living paycheck to paycheck, a 50% increase in fares is not just inconvenient — it can be life-altering.
4. Broader Inflation Pressures
Kenya is already grappling with the broader effects of global inflation. This fuel-driven fare hike risks pushing more households below the poverty line and eroding the gains made in cost-of-living management.
A Crisis That Demands Urgent Government Action
The 50% matatu fare hike and the nationwide PSV strike on May 18, 2026 represent a breaking point for Kenya's transport sector — and a harsh reality check for millions of commuters. With diesel prices rising by nearly Ksh 47 per litre overnight, the frustration of PSV operators is understandable.
However, the burden of this crisis should not fall entirely on ordinary Kenyans who are already struggling with a high cost of living. The government must move swiftly — beyond vague assurances — to provide tangible relief, whether through fuel subsidies, transport sector support packages, or fare regulation mechanisms.
Until then, Kenyans are advised to prepare for disruption, budget accordingly, and stay updated as this rapidly developing situation unfolds.
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