Public service vehicle (PSV) operators on Monday morning brought transport along the busy Kisii–Kilgoris road to a standstill.
The operators protesting against hiked fuel prices barricaded the road using stones and burning tyres, effectively paralyzing movement in the area. All vehicles including private ones and even boda bodas were unable to access the Ogembo section, creating a major transport disruption on the key inter-county route.
The demonstrators, largely composed of matatu operators and drivers, ensured that no PSV operating along the Kisii–Kilgoris route continued with normal operations leaving hundreds of passengers stranded.
Pedestrians, including business people heading to markets, employees to work, and children heading to school were forced to remain on the roadside as they waited for the situation to normalize. Some attempted to walk long distances to their destinations, while others opted to return home.
“We have no choice but to protest. Fuel prices are too high, and we cannot sustain our operations. Every day we are making losses,” said Julius Ombati, one of the matatu drivers at the scene.
The protesters expressed anger over the recent fuel price adjustments, which have seen pump prices rise significantly in the latest review by the Energy regulator. Many argued that the increase has directly impacted transport costs, punishing both operators and passengers.
“The cost of fuel has gone up again, yet fares cannot be increased proportionately because passengers are already struggling. We are stuck in between,” Samuel Ogechi, another operator lamented.
The demonstration follows a directive issued on Sunday by PSV operators’ associations calling for a nationwide strike to protest the rising cost of fuel and the economic pressure it is exerting on the Transport sector. The operators have demanded immediate government intervention to reduce fuel prices or introduce subsidies to cushion them.
Business activities in Ogembo Town were also affected, with traders unable to receive supplies or serve customers due to the transport paralysis. Some shops remained closed as uncertainty persisted throughout the morning.
The Kisii–Kilgoris road connects Kisii County to neighboring Narok County, and disruptions along the route had a ripple effect on trade and mobility across the region.
As the standoff continued, motorists and residents called on the government to urgently address the concerns raised by transport operators to avert further disruptions.
by Misheba Alfred
