Uproar greets Ruto's fuel address as cost push families to the brink

Shell Petrol Station Petrol along North Airport road in Nairobi on May 18, 2026. [Boniface Okendo, Standard]

President William Ruto’s highly anticipated address on soaring fuel prices was yesterday met with uproar and bitter disappointment from struggling Kenyans who had hoped for immediate relief from the spiralling cost of living.

Those who spoke to The Saturday Standard were left wondering, having hoped for a significant reduction in pump prices, only for Ruto to leave current costs untouched as families, traders and transport operators sink deeper into economic despair.

From matatu drivers drowning in loans and boda boda riders surviving hand-to-mouth, to hawkers watching businesses collapse under rising transport costs, angry wananchi accused both the government and transport sector leaders of abandoning ordinary Kenyans.

Even after a crippling nationwide matatu strike that paralysed the country’s economy for two consecutive days, many Kenyans say the leaders who claimed to represent them only sought to “protect their stomachs” instead of fighting for the people.

The latest review saw fuel prices increase by Sh18 for super petrol and Sh46 for diesel. After public and transport sector outrage, diesel prices were later lowered by Sh10.

In his address, President Ruto defended the government’s position, saying the administration was aware of the pain Kenyans were going through following the rise in global fuel prices caused by the Middle East crisis.

He directed the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority to further reduce the diesel price by Sh10 in the next review, while maintaining that his administration was doing everything possible to cushion citizens from the economic shock.

“I have directed that in the next pricing cycle (June/July), we will further reduce the price of diesel by Sh10 to provide additional relief to Kenyans,” he said. 

But on the ground, frustration boiled over as Kenyans argued that it was not enough and amounted to “managing” their expectations.

“Even after increasing fares by Sh10, it still does not help. The vehicle has a loan, insurance, county charges and many other expenses. Fuel prices have gone too high. What used to cost less now requires an extra Sh3,000 to Sh5,000. There is barely any money left,” said Sudi, a driver with Metro Trans commuter company.

The visibly frustrated driver said transport operators were now working longer hours for diminishing returns, with most passengers unable to cope with increased fares.

“Life has become extremely difficult. This business is collapsing,” he said. Sudi also took a swipe at transport sector leaders who met President Ruto at State House, Mombasa, saying they “came out with nothing in our favour.”

“Those leaders who went to meet the government were protecting their own interests. We do not even know what they discussed because nothing has changed. They abandoned us,” he charged.

The nationwide matatu strike, which brought parts of the country to a standstill for two days, had been organised by public transport operators to protest soaring fuel prices and what they termed unbearable taxation.

What on Monday began as a go-slow by matatus quickly escalated into nationwide protests that left at least 10 people dead, scores injured, and several businesses destroyed.

Although transport operators eventually called off the strike after closed-door talks with government officials in Mombasa, wananchi now say nothing meaningful was achieved.

Boda boda riders, who depend on daily earnings to survive, said they were now trapped between angry customers and skyrocketing operational costs. 

“We are being squeezed badly. When you tell a customer the fare has increased by Sh20, they refuse and think you are stealing from them,” a boda boda rider operating in South B said.

“The government should tell us the truth about what is happening.”

Another rider, Felix Moses from South C, painted a grim picture of collapsing livelihoods.

“This fuel increase is too much. I used to fuel my motorcycle with Sh800 a day, pay Sh600 for the loan, save Sh400 and still feed my family. Right now, there are no savings. You only get enough money just to eat.”

He added: “The more fuel prices increase, the more business goes down. Customers are also struggling.”

For traders, hawkers and grocery owners, the fuel crisis has quietly evolved into a business catastrophe.

Teresia Nyaboke, who owns a cosmetic shop in Nairobi city centre, said her sales had sharply dropped as consumers cut spending amid rising transport costs.

“Before fuel prices went up, I could make sales of up to Sh20,000. Right now, I cannot go beyond Sh15,000,” she said.

According to Nyaboke, transport costs have also risen sharply. A trip from Kayole Junction to town during peak hours, which previously cost Sh80, now costs Sh140. “It is very expensive,” she lamented.

Nyaboke said many Kenyans had expected the strike to force the government into significantly reducing fuel prices. 

“The strike did not achieve much because we expected fuel prices to reduce significantly. But that has not happened. Life is becoming unbearable,” she said.

For Anne Nyanchoka, a hawker in Nairobi CBD, the fuel hike has disrupted supply chains and pushed her to the edge.

“Since fuel prices went up, supplies have become difficult to get, and I am losing customers. I have now been forced to sell groundnuts and watermelon, but getting new customers is also difficult.”

Nyanchoka explained that most of her stock comes from Tanzania and Uganda, and transport costs have drastically eaten into profits.

“We used to buy one piece at Sh10 and sell it at Sh20. Now five pieces cost Sh80. There is almost no profit left,” she said.

The mother of school-going children added that even basic survival had become difficult. “Every day I travel from Githunguri paying Sh150 fare, yet it used to cost Sh80. If I do not make sales, where do I get the fare to return home? Even children’s school transport fares have gone up. Business people are suffering badly.”

As pressure mounts on the Kenya Kwanza administration, voices from the streets now reflect growing anger and hopelessness among ordinary Kenyans who say every fuel price increase translates directly into hunger, debt and suffering.

Despite government assurances, many now believe they are fighting the crisis alone.