Residents of Mombasa have called on the government to intervene and avert the transport crisis that is expected from Monday, as transport associations vow to paralyse transport services countrywide.

Under the Transport Alliance, transport associations across the country issued a nationwide strike notice effective Monday to protest the continued ‘sharp and unjustified’ increase in fuel prices imposed by the government.

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The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority on May 14 increased fuel prices by Sh16.65 per litre for petrol and Sh46.29 per litre for diesel, effectively increasing prices to a maximum of Sh214.25 per litre for petrol in Nairobi and a record Sh242.92 per litre for diesel in Nairobi.

Kerosene prices remained unchanged at Sh152.78 per litre.

In Likoni, Mombasa County, matatu operators downed their tools on Sunday, creating a transportation crisis.

The rest of the country joined them on Monday.

Commuters have been forced to walk to work, with most matatus having withdrawn their services.

Going to Mtwapa from CBD is Sh250 for the few matatus that are operating, up from the normal Sh130.

Tuk-tuks are having a field day, with increased fares and no-nonsense looks from the operators – you either pay their exorbitant prices or walk.

A tuk-tuk ride from Bamburi to the CBD has been doubled to between Sh200 and Sh250, up from the normal between Sh80 and Sh100.

Most of the boda bodas are operating, but at increased prices. Almost all prices for boda bodas have increased by Sh100 for any stage.

Anthony Juma, a commuter, tried reducing the distance to Dorks where he works, so as to pay less fare.

He walked from Bamburi Mwisho to Lights, a distance of almost 7 km, to try to reduce the fares he would have paid.

“But still, I waited for a matatu for almost 2 hrs. Eventually, I had to take a tuk-tuk but still paid Sh250 to Docks. Normally, I would have paid about Sh130 or Sh1650 at the most,” Juma said.

He said the government should do something to alleviate the suffering of Kenyans right now.

“It is unfortunate that while most government bigwigs ride in fuel guzzlers paid for by us, the taxpayers, they cannot even try to do something to shield us from these difficult times. Then they will come asking us to vote them back. We will see about that,” an angry Juma said.

At the Bakarani stage, in the Kisauni-Bamburi route along alongthe Old Malindi road, youth barricaded the road, protesting the hiked fuel prices, for about an hour before police were able to talk them out of the protests.

Private vehicles had to avoid the route to avoid having their cars damaged by the angry protesting youth.

Matatu Owners Association second deputy president Salim Mbarak said he feels sorry for their clients, the commuters, but they have been forced to take the drastic action to try and compel the government to the negotiation table.

He said the economy is in a difficult position, which is affecting their businesses.

“We have downed our tools because there is no business. A vehicle that used to bring in some Sh3,000 a day is now bringing in Sh1,700 or Sh1,800. This is because of the increased fuel prices. For the first time in the history of Kenya, diesel is being sold more expensively than petrol; just imagine,” Mbarak said.

He called on the government to remove the VAT on fuel and reduce other taxes on the commodity so as to stabilise the economy first and then, later, gradually return the taxes in consultation with stakeholders after the economy has stabilised.

He said fuel prices affect all sectors of the economy because all the sectors need transportation in one way or another.

“We have to protect wananchi because they are our people. We do not feel good seeing people walk long distances to work. They will become less productive, and they will not help grow the economy this way,” Mbarak said.

“When your child defecates on your lap while carrying them, will you beat them up? No, you can’t. You will wipe them and put fresh clothes on them. We are the president's children. He should wipe the stool off his lap, clean us and put on us fresh clothes that are clean and more comfortable,” he said.

The nationwide strike has been joined by the Motorists Association of Kenya, MOA, Boda Boda associations, Digital Cab Operators, Tourist Vehicle Operators, Cargo and Freight Transporters, commuter representatives, Motorists and Private Vehicle Owners Association, Borehole Drilling Machine Operators, Generator Owners and Operators, and other fuel-dependent sectors severely affected by the punitive fuel prices.