Transport Operators Demand Disbandment of EPRA Ahead of Planned Monday Strike

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NAIROBI, Kenya, May 16 – Transport operators across Kenya have escalated their standoff with the government, calling for the disbandment of the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) ahead of a nationwide strike set to begin on Monday.The Transport Alliance, bringing together matatu operators, boda boda riders, digital taxi drivers, cargo transporters and other fuel-dependent stakeholders, said the regulator has failed Kenyans by presiding over repeated fuel price increases that have made transport operations unsustainable.The group accused EPRA of enabling what they termed as “exploitative fuel pricing,” arguing that the regulator has not protected consumers or operators from the rising cost of petroleum products.The operators warned that unless urgent action is taken, including the scrapping of EPRA and reforming the fuel pricing framework, they will proceed with nationwide protests and a transport shutdown that could paralyse economic activity across the country.The planned industrial action is expected to involve a wide range of transport and fuel-reliant sectors, including public service vehicles, ride-hailing operators, freight carriers, tourist transport services, and private motorists.If implemented, the strike could severely disrupt movement in major towns and cities, affecting commuters, supply chains, and business operations nationwide.The Transport Alliance said the decision follows what it described as “sharp and unjustified” increases in fuel prices announced in the latest review cycle, which it claims have pushed the cost of living even higher.The protest comes days after EPRA announced a significant adjustment in fuel prices, with Super Petrol and diesel increasing sharply in the May–June pricing cycle.Motorists in Nairobi are now paying over Sh214 per litre of petrol and more than Sh240 per litre of diesel, figures transport operators say are unsustainable for business survival.The alliance argues that continued price increases have made public transport operations unviable, forcing operators to consider drastic measures.Among the key demands, the Transport Alliance is calling for the immediate disbandment of EPRA, withdrawal of the latest fuel price increase, liberalisation of fuel pricing to allow market-driven competition, reforms in petroleum sector regulation and measures to curb what they describe as unfair pricing practices.The group has also urged Kenyans affected by rising transport and commodity costs to support the planned demonstrations, describing the action as a fight for “economic justice and livelihoods protection.”