Motorists association faults govt for sharp fuel price surge
By William Muthama, July 21, 2025The Motorists Association of Kenya (MAK) has strongly criticised the government for recent fuel price increases and the hike in the Road Maintenance Levy Fund (RMLF), terming the moves as “economic sabotage” and demanding a full refund of levies collected under what it calls an illegitimate framework.
In a statement posted on Facebook on Monday, July 21, 2025, the association condemned the hikes, arguing that the new charges were introduced without public participation, thereby violating Article 10 of the Constitution.
“This is economic crime disguised as policy,” the association said, accusing the state of using road maintenance as a smokescreen for financial mismanagement.
The uproar follows the July 14 pricing review by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), which saw pump prices in Nairobi rise sharply.
Super Petrol now retails at Ksh186.31 per litre (up by Ksh8.99), Diesel at Ksh171.58 (up by Ksh8.67), and Kerosene at Ksh156.58 (up by Ksh9.65).
“The government slapped us with an unjustified increase per litre, only to divert the funds to shady securitization of loans and covert deals to pay ghost contractors,” the association stated.
It further faulted former Roads and current Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen for bypassing Parliament when issuing the 2024 directive that raised the RMLF from Ksh18 to Ksh25 per litre the first hike in nearly a decade.
“This pattern of impunity must not be allowed to stand. If we accept this today, it becomes the norm tomorrow,” the statement warned.
Demands and Redress
MAK is now calling for the immediate reversal of both the RMLF hike and the recent EPRA fuel price increase, while urging judicial and constitutional oversight bodies, including the EACC and the Auditor General, to investigate the matter.
“We demand justice and accountability. The funds collected must be refunded in full,” the association said, adding that it is prepared to mobilize motorists for peaceful protests if the government fails to act.
“This is about more than just fuel it’s about protecting the public from exploitation under the guise of policy,” it concluded.