THE PRESIDENT OF THE MATATU OWNERS ASSOCIATION, HON. ALBERT KARAKACHA, SAYS KENYANS ARE NOW BEING FORCED TO WALK TO WORK AS KENYA BECOMES THE MOST EXPENSIVE COUNTRY TO FUEL A VEHICLE IN THE REGION, WHILE OIL PRODUCERS LIKE ANGOLA, EGYPT AND NIGERIA CUSHION THEIR CITIZENS DESPITE THE GLOBAL CRUDE PRICE HITTING USD 108 TODAY.
By Mount Kenya Times Reporter – Nairobi – TODAY
The President of the Matatu Owners Association, Hon. Albert Karakacha, has today warned that Kenyans are being forced to walk to work and school as fuel prices in Kenya remain punitively higher than in neighboring Uganda and in African oil producing giants Angola, Egypt and Nigeria, even as global crude hits USD 108 per barrel today due to stalled US-Iran peace talks and tightening US fuel markets.
Speaking today in Nairobi while issuing a press statement on the global oil shock, Karakacha said it is shameful that Kenya, a non-oil producing country that taxes fuel the most, is punishing its own citizens while other African countries have put in place measures to cushion their people.
“It is painful today to see Kenyans walking along Thika Road, along Mombasa Road, along Ngong Road because they cannot afford matatu fare. Kenyans are being forced to walk. This is 2026, Kenyans should not be walking to work because fuel is too expensive,” Karakacha said today.
A spot check by The Mount Kenya Times today on latest GlobalPetrolPrices data for September 2026 shows the massive disparity:
FUEL PRICE COMPARISON – TODAY – OCTOBER 1, 2026
Country Current Petrol Price Per Litre In Kenya Shillings Today Status
Kenya $1.50 KES 195 – 214 Highest taxed in region
Uganda $1.38 KES 179 Lower than Kenya by KES 16
Angola $0.327 KES 42 Oil producer, heavily subsidized
Egypt $0.446 KES 58 Oil producer, local refining
Nigeria $0.536 – $1.05 KES 70 – 140 Africa’s largest producer, Dangote refinery cushioning
Source: GlobalPetrolPrices Sept 21 2026, Reuters field checks Lagos/Abuja today.
Karakacha said the comparison is heartbreaking:
“Today an Angolan pays KES 42 per litre for petrol. An Egyptian pays KES 58. A Nigerian in Lagos pays about KES 140 despite global shocks because Dangote refinery is shielding them. A Ugandan pays KES 179. But a Kenyan today is paying KES 195 to 214 for the same litre. Why? Because over 45 percent of what Kenyans pay is tax. Taxes, taxes, taxes.”
The Matatu Owners Association President said the global surge to USD 108 today will push Kenya over the edge if government does not act today.
“When we buy diesel at KES 186 today and it goes to KES 210 next week, we must increase fares by 30 percent. The common mwananchi who today pays Sh100 from Umoja to Town will be forced to pay Sh150. Many will choose to walk. Already today, our stages are seeing fewer passengers because people cannot afford. They are walking.”
WHAT IT MEANS FOR KENYA TODAY
Karakacha outlined three immediate dangers today:
- Transport Paralysis Today: Matatus consume 60% of diesel. Many owners will park vehicles today if prices rise.
- Cost of Living Explosion Today: Fuel is master commodity. Unga, milk, vegetables to rise today.
- Shilling Pressure Today: Fuel import bill to rise from USD 550M to USD 680M today, weakening shilling at KES 129.
KARAKACHA’S DEMAND TO GOVERNMENT – LOWER FUEL PRICES TODAY
In his statement today, the Matatu President demanded:
“We call upon the Government of Kenya to lower fuel prices today. Not tomorrow. Today.
Use the Petroleum Development Levy fund today – Kenyans pay Sh5.40 per litre every day. Reinstate the stabilization fund today.
Cut taxes on fuel today. You cannot collect eight taxes on a single litre and expect Kenyans not to walk.
Zero-rate spare parts for PSVs today.
Crack down on oil marketers hoarding fuel in Mombasa today to create artificial shortage.”
Karakacha concluded: “Angola is protecting its people at Sh42. Egypt at Sh58. Uganda at Sh179. Why is Kenya at Sh214? Today Kenyans are walking because government is over-taxing fuel. Lower fuel prices today and save Kenyans from walking.”