Kenya Transport Strike: Four Killed as Fuel Price Protests Turn Violent

Protesters block roads and burn tyres during demonstrations in Kenya over rising fuel prices.

At least four people have been killed and more than thirty others injured during protests linked to nationwide transport strikes over rising fuel prices in Kenya, according to the country’s Interior Minister, Kipchumba Murkomen.

The protests disrupted movement across major towns and cities on Monday, with roads in the capital, Nairobi, largely deserted as transport operators withdrew services. Some schools asked students to stay at home, while businesses remained shut as protesters blocked roads with burning tyres and barricades. Police also fired tear gas to disperse crowds in parts of the country.

Authorities say at least 348 people have been arrested, while six police officers and several vehicles were damaged during the unrest. The demonstrations followed a sharp increase in fuel prices after Kenya’s Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority raised the cost of petrol and diesel by more than twenty percent. The development has worsened the cost of living in the East African country, where many households already face economic hardship.

Kenya depends heavily on imported fuel from Gulf countries, with global supply disruptions linked to tensions in the Middle East contributing to the increase in prices. Transport fares and food prices have also risen sharply in recent weeks.

Speaking to Reuters, a resident of Kitengela on the outskirts of Nairobi, identified simply as Charles, appealed to President William Ruto to intervene. According to him, transport fares which previously ranged between one hundred and one hundred and fifty shillings have now increased to about three hundred shillings.

Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen accused political actors of hijacking the protests for political purposes, insisting that destruction of property and disruption of transport services would not solve the fuel crisis. He added that most roads blocked during the protests had been cleared by security agencies.

Meanwhile, Kenya’s Treasury Minister, John Mbadi, described the increase in fuel prices as unfortunate but said the strike action was unnecessary. 

He maintained that the government would continue to take decisions based on economic realities while considering additional relief measures if global oil prices remain high.