Protests loom as activists issue Ruto 72-hour ultimatum to address rising fuel prices

Protests loom as activists issue Ruto 72-hour ultimatum to address rising fuel prices

The human rights actors who are under the Pazi Sauti Movement condemned the continued increase in fuel prices and the growing financial pressure imposed on ordinary Kenyans.

President William Ruto could face mass action against his administration if he fails to address the rising fuel prices. This is according to activists who on Friday issued a three-day ultimatum over the recent increase in fuel prices.

The activists who addressed the press in Nairobi, led by Collins Otieno, said they will rally Kenyans to protest against the government over the sudden increase in fuel prices by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA).

The human rights actors who are under the Pazi Sauti Movement condemned the continued increase in fuel prices and the growing financial pressure imposed on ordinary Kenyans.

“Rising fuel costs affect transportation, food prices, agriculture, electricity, and nearly every sector of the economy. At a time when millions of families are struggling to afford basic necessities, further increases threaten to deepen the economic hardship facing the country,” said Otieno.

They lamented that Kenyans cannot continue to shoulder the burden of rising costs while their incomes remain stretched and their living standards deteriorate.

“We demand that the government treat this crisis with the urgency it deserves and recognise that the welfare of ordinary citizens must not be sacrificed without transparency, accountability, and meaningful intervention.”

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This comes even as fresh reports indicate that Kenyans could face further fuel price increases if conflict in the Middle East continues to disrupt global petroleum supplies.

EPRA Director-General, Edward Mwirigi, warned before the Special Funds Accounts Committee on Thursday, October 15, where he attributed the latest fuel price increase announced on Wednesday, October 14, to disruptions in supply from the Gulf region.

The pump prices announced on October 14 marked one of the sharpest increases in petrol, diesel and kerosene prices in 2026. In Nairobi, a litre of petrol will retail at Sh226.96, diesel at Sh227.76 and kerosene at Sh219.87.

The EPRA DG explained that attacks on fuel infrastructure and vessels had forced importers to seek alternative sources, including Singapore, where petroleum products were reportedly more expensive. This, according to Mwirigi, had a ripple effect on the overall pump prices.

Despite the sharp increase in prices, Mwirigi cautioned that Kenyans could potentially be forced to dig deeper into their pockets for fuel in the coming months if the situation in the Middle East continued to deteriorate.

During the committee session, MPs also questioned EPRA over the decision to raise prices despite President William Ruto's assurances back in May 2026 that pump prices would remain stabilised.

The activists who are planning for protests across major towns in the country are now demanding full disclosure of the factors informing the latest fuel price adjustment, including taxes, levies, international oil prices, exchange rates, transportation costs, and other components determining the final pump price.

“We further demand an urgent review of the tax and levy burden on petroleum products, with the aim of providing meaningful relief to consumers wherever legally and economically feasible,” said Otieno.

In their view, the relevant authorities must explain what alternatives were considered before the price adjustment and what measures they intend to take to cushion Kenyans against its effects. They have cautioned against vague explanations, political rhetoric, or silence in place of accountability, arguing that the public has every right to question decisions that directly affect its livelihoods and economic security.

They are pressuring Ruto’s administration to present a clear plan to address the impact of fuel costs on households, workers, farmers, small businesses, and vulnerable communities.

“We hereby issue a 72-hour ultimatum for a substantive public response to these demands. If the relevant authorities fail to provide satisfactory answers and demonstrate a credible commitment to addressing these concerns within that period, we will mobilise Kenyans for peaceful street protests to demand transparency, accountability, and meaningful relief from the rising cost of living,” said Otieno.