Fury at the Pump: Kenyan Motorists Threaten Protests Over Shocking Fuel Hike as Govt Secrets Emerge

In a dramatic escalation of public anger, the Motorists Association of Kenya (MAK) has sounded the alarm over what they call “an unjustified and exploitative” fuel price hike by the government.  

With petrol and diesel prices shooting up by Ksh 8.99 and Ksh 8.67 per litre respectively, motorists across the country are preparing for possible nationwide protests and legal action. 

In a strongly worded statement issued on July 17, the association accused the Ministry of Energy and the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) of pushing an anti-consumer agenda despite global oil prices remaining below $70 per barrel. 

“This abrupt hike in prices caught motorists completely by surprise and left us shocked and lost for words,” read the MAK statement. “When world prices were dropping, EPRA gave a disgraceful reduction of just one shilling. Meanwhile, more than 50% of fuel cost is made up of taxes, this is economically destructive and morally wrong.” 

The association is now demanding an urgent return to free market pricing, where pump prices are determined by actual global market trends and fair competition, not opaque deals and inflated taxes. They also want the Open Tender System (OTS) reinstated to ensure the most affordable global suppliers are chosen transparently. 

But that’s just the beginning. 

The association exposed what they call a deliberate shift of wealth from motorists to oil marketers through increased margins and dangerous regulatory failures.  

They accused EPRA and the Energy Ministry of failing to protect consumers from adulterated fuel, saying when rogue dealers are caught, they face minor fines with no compensation offered to motorists whose engines are damaged. 

“Fuel from top Kenyan marketers has been found to have lower octane levels, further compromising vehicle performance and even safety.” 

Citing a recent exposé by Ndindi Nyoro, former chair of the National Assembly Budget and Appropriations Committee, the MAK revealed that the government used the Fuel Levy to secure a secret Ksh175 billion loan, a move done without public input or parliamentary approval. 

They also slammed the government-to-government oil import deal, which they claim has become a smokescreen for backroom dealings and price manipulation. 

“We still don’t know the real beneficiaries of these opaque fuel deals,” MAK warned, demanding transparency, accountability, and an immediate reversal of the price hikes. 

The Motorists Association has made it clear: if the government does not meet their demands, they will mobilize peaceful protests and take legal action to fight for their right to affordable, fair, and transparent fuel pricing. 

Adding insult to injury, MAK noted that even Tanzania increased its fuel prices by Ksh27 per litre immediately after their energy regulator visited Kenya for “benchmarking”, a move seen by many as proof of the Kenyan government’s failure to lead by example. 

As fuel frustrations boil over, the government may soon face a powerful coalition of everyday motorists who are no longer willing to suffer in silence.