Motorists across the country have renewed their outcry against the government, demanding a complete refund of the money collected since the Road Maintenance Levy Fund (RMLF) was last increased in 2024.
In a strongly worded statement released on Monday, July 21, the Motorists Association of Kenya (MAK) condemned the government’s decision to hike the RMLF.
They also criticised the recent surge in fuel prices following the latest pricing adjustment by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA).
The association described these government actions as a form of “economic crime disguised as public policy.” They accused the state of burdening Kenyans with heavy levies under the pretense of road repairs, only for the funds to allegedly be channeled into questionable and opaque deals.
“Using road upgrades as an excuse, the government imposed a steep and unjustified levy per litre of fuel,” MAK stated. “Yet the money is being misused in suspicious loan deals and secretive payments to both real and fake contractors — a clear sign of financial mismanagement.”
According to the association, the government made these changes without seeking input from the public, as required by the Constitution. They argued that the lack of public participation in both the fuel price review and RMLF increase made the changes unconstitutional and therefore invalid.
In their new list of demands, MAK called for the government to completely reverse the increased road levy and the July fuel price hike issued by EPRA.
They further urged institutions tasked with enforcing accountability — such as the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the Office of the Auditor General — to launch thorough investigations into what they described as the misuse of public funds.
Taking a more confrontational stance, the motorists’ lobby demanded a full refund of all the levies collected under what they claim to be a fraudulent and unlawful system.
The association also took aim at Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, accusing him of being responsible for the levy increase in 2024 when he headed the Ministry of Transport.
The road levy, which was raised from Ksh18 to Ksh25 per litre in 2024, marked the first adjustment in nearly 10 years. Before this, the last increase was back in 2016.
As for the soaring fuel prices, EPRA attributed the rise to an increase in the landed cost of fuel — the price of importing it — which climbed significantly in June. Since pump prices are closely linked to the landed cost, this had a direct impact on consumers.
Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi defended the spike in pump prices, pointing to a global surge in oil prices as the main reason behind the adjustment.
Previously, the Motorists Association had warned of mass peaceful protests if the government failed to address their grievances. Among their key demands is a return to a liberal fuel pricing model, where pump prices are determined by real global market forces rather than government-imposed pricing.
EPRA Director General Daniel Kiptoo had earlier addressed the issue in February 2024, defending the fuel pricing mechanism. However, motorists insist the system must be reviewed to protect Kenyans from what they call economic exploitation.
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