Kenyans fault government over failure to address rising fuel prices and cost of living crisis

Added: 2026-05-22

[00:00:00]K K T N Elgeyo Marakwet County.

[00:00:03]Kenya's President William Ruto has yet again failed to adequately respond to the needs of Kenyans. In a meeting held Thursday between the government and public transport operators, everything was discussed but the pressing need, which is high cost of fuel, which is biting Kenyans' pockets. As Esther Diana now reports, Kenyans have yet again been sold out through another closed-door meeting.

[00:00:32]At a time when Kenyans continue to bear with the pain of rising fuel prices, doubled cost of transport, and soaring prices of commodities, President William Ruto has offered no immediate relief, instead called for patience, proving yet again just how out of touch the state is with realities on the ground. This situation is not permanent.

[00:00:58]We have overcome many challenges before, including droughts, floods, terrorism, and the COVID-19 pandemic, including other global shocks.

[00:01:11]Each time, we prevailed because we stood together as one people.

[00:01:18]Thursday evening, another high-level closed-door meeting was held. Friday morning, another long speech was read.

[00:01:26]As has sadly become the norm, only the outfit and location changed. The realities of Kenyans have remained as they were. Fuel still retails at exorbitantly high prices, and households continue to feel the pinch of the trickle-down effect.

[00:01:44]When transport sector operators went into the 4 hours-long meeting with the president, Kenyans hoped that perhaps a substantive revision of the fuel prices would emerge.

[00:01:59]So far The outcomes, however, not offering any relief were as follows. Diesel prices will be reduced by another 10 shillings in the coming June-July cycle. The plan to scrap of graffiti on public transport vehicles will be rescinded. 14-seater vehicles will be allowed to enter the market in Mombasa and electric vehicles will be imported duty-free.

[00:02:39]Earlier attempts at dialogue saw aborted meetings. A split section of Matatu operators are pointing fingers that the transport leaders have betrayed Kenyans.

[00:03:07]Led by Albert Karakacha, the chairperson Matatu Owners Association, the lords that met with the president have maintained that they will not compromise.

[00:03:28]This dynamic of deals stabilizing the status quo for those with leverage repeats across high-stake issues leaving Kenyans on their own.

[00:03:38]Esther Arunga, KTN, Nairobi.

[00:03:42]Let's now move to the corridors of justice.