Tanzania imposes fuel rationing on tuk-tuks, boda bodas ahead of planned protests

The Tanzanian government has ordered all petrol stations to limit the sale of fuel to tuk-tuks and motorbikes to two litres, a move aimed at curtailing planned demonstrations scheduled for December 9, 2025. 

In a press briefing, Police Commander Nestory John of Chunya District alleged that boda boda riders and tuk-tuk drivers are prone to transporting protesters to designated areas, causing chaos. 

"Wauzaji wa vituo vya mafuta, tunawashauri kwa kipindi hiki ambako tunaelekea ya Decemba 9, basi wasiwauzie mafuta mengi boda boda pamoja na bajaji," he stated. 

"Wauziwe mafuta isizidi lita mbili sababu unapowauzia mafuta mengi ni kuwawezesha kufanya movement from point A to point B na kuendelea kufanya uharibifu. Kwa hivyo mafuta yanapokuwa mengi, ni kama yanawapa nguvu kuenda sehemu moja kutoka kwingine."

In line with the latest fuel prices by the Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority (EWURA), 2 litres of petrol in Dar es Salaam goes for 5,504 Tzs, equivalent to Ksh.289. 

The police commander further warned oil dealers to stop selling petrol along roadside areas, noting that officers will be on high alert to arrest anyone engaged in such practices.

"Tunawaambia wasafirishaji wa mafuta, wasiuze mafuta kiholela njiani. Sisi tumejiimarisha kufanya doria katika maeneo hayo kwenye vituo vya mafuta pamoja na kufuatilia magari ya kusafirisha mafuta. Endapo tutakuta mtu anapark njiani na anauza mafuta kiholela hatutasita kuchukua hatua kwa mujibu wa sheria," he noted. 

Opposition parties had set aside December 9th for fresh demonstrations to protest what they termed as a 'sham election' where President Samia Suluhu won with 98 per cent of the votes. 

The date coincided with the country's independence day celebrations, which President Samia's government canceled over the planned protests. 

Instead, the government stated that the funds would be used to rebuild infrastructure damaged during the unrest. 

"I urge my fellow Tanzanians to come together and discuss the issues affecting us. Let us not return to what we went through, because the consequences are irreparable," Tanzania's Prime Minister Mwigulu Nchemba stated.