Nairobi motorists ignore call to block roads over fuel prices

A Nairobi motorists protest that was scheduled to start at 7:30am on Wednesday failed to kick off as no vehicles were spotted parked on any of the roads.

The Motorist Association of Kenya had urged Kenyans to take part in demonstrations by stopping their vehicles in the middle of roads for three hours.

Also Read: Matatu fares to be increased in September over new tax levy

“Updated Notice Please note that the protest against VAT high fuel prices set for Wednesday 22 August 2018 is still on. However, time for parking your vehicles on the road has been extended by 3 hours. That is from 7:30 A.M to 10.30 A.M. Share Widely,” the association posted on Twitter.

Fuel prices are set to increase in September after the government introduced a 16percent levy.

The move has created disquiet in several quarters with public service vehicle (matatu) operators indicating that they will hike their fares within the next two weeks.

07:58 Lusaka road business as usual. hii strike itakuwa kwa viu sasa via @DennisM29200342

— Ma3Route (@Ma3Route) August 22, 2018

On Wednesday morning, Matatu Owners Association chairman Simon Kimutai confirmed that those who use public transport should expect an increase in fares across the country.

“This fuel hike will hurt all Kenyans not just the motorists. As a business entity we will pass the extra adjustment of the price to the consumer- We will however be very fair,” he said during an interview on Citizen TV.

08:09 Still waiting to see who this is that will leave their car in the middle of the road to protest VAT on fuel…mtu aache tu gari ya loan Uhuru Highway unattended… Waiting. via @makodingo

— Ma3Route (@Ma3Route) August 22, 2018

He however criticized the Motorists Association of Kenya for planning protests to oppose the government’s plan to increase fuel prices.

“What is important is to sit and discuss with those who have done it before. Asking people to leave/ park their vehicles on the road whilst inconveniencing other motorists is not the solution,” he told Waihiga Mwaura on the Day Break morning show.

Kimutai also added that the government should have explored other avenues for increasing revenue instead of increasing tax on fuel products.

The MOA chairman also dismissed claims that the matatu industry generates a lot of money and thus should not be increasing fares.

“It is a very expensive venture to get into, very risky and has minimal profits. However creative you could be, at the end of the day cash is involved- we do not get any subsidies,” he added.

07:47 Its 7.40am and traffic is flowing smoothly. I thought there was going to be a demonstration. Sisi watu wako Footsubishi tumefika pic.twitter.com/PKrdXhxTjF via @ItsKimosopJr

— Ma3Route (@Ma3Route) August 22, 2018

07:31 No signs of any road protest yet. All roads are nyweeee @EleganceThika via @ThikaTowntoday

— Ma3Route (@Ma3Route) August 22, 2018

07:43 hiyo mgomo iko wapi? Kila mtu anapambana na hali yake via @EMUONI

— Ma3Route (@Ma3Route) August 22, 2018