Protests broke out across several Kenyan towns on Monday after sharp fuel price increases triggered a nationwide public transport strike that stranded commuters, disrupted traffic and heightened concerns over rising living costs.
Demonstrators blocked major roads into the capital Nairobi while public transport operators withdrew services in protest against soaring fuel prices linked to global supply disruptions caused by conflict in the Middle East.
Police fired tear gas in some parts of the capital as protesters burned tyres and barricaded roads, worsening congestion and forcing thousands of commuters to walk long distances to work.
The strike, organised by the Transport Sector Alliance, began at midnight after operators accused the government of failing to cushion the sector from escalating fuel costs.
The unrest follows two consecutive rounds of fuel price increases announced by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority.
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Last week, retail fuel prices were raised by as much as 23.5 percent, following another 24.2 percent increase the previous month, as global oil markets reacted to tensions in the Middle East.
Kenya, which imports nearly all its petroleum products from Gulf suppliers through government-to-government agreements, has been particularly exposed to the rise in international oil prices.
In Nairobi, the pump price of super petrol rose to 214.25 Kenyan shillings (US$1.66) per litre from 206.97 shillings, while diesel prices surged to 242.92 shillings (US$1.88) from 196.63 shillings during the latest pricing cycle.
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The increases have sharply raised transport fares and pushed up the prices of basic goods, intensifying economic pressure on households already grappling with inflation and high living costs.
Commuters across Nairobi were left stranded as buses and minibuses stayed off the roads, with many residents forced to walk for hours to reach workplaces and schools.
In the coastal city of Mombasa, Kenya’s main port hub, businesses warned that prolonged transport disruptions could affect cargo movement and delay supply chains.
Finance Minister John Mbadi said government officials planned to meet transport operators in an effort to find a solution and ease tensions.
Speaking to local media, Mbadi said current fuel prices were already benefiting from subsidies and acknowledged the strain the increases were placing on both businesses and households.
“The current prices are already subsidised,” he said, while urging dialogue between government and transport stakeholders.
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For many Kenyans, however, the latest increases have intensified frustration over the rising cost of everyday essentials.
Public relations officer Gabriel Odhiambo, 24, said his commuting expenses had doubled in recent weeks, while food prices were also climbing rapidly.
“Even tomatoes have become expensive,” he said, noting that four tomatoes now cost 60 Kenyan shillings (about 50 US cents), nearly three times previous levels.
Economists warn that higher fuel prices are likely to feed into broader inflation, raising transport, food and production costs across the economy.
Kenya’s reliance on imported fuel leaves it highly vulnerable to global price shocks, particularly during periods of geopolitical instability affecting oil-producing regions.
The protests come amid broader economic pressures facing East African economies, many of which are struggling with currency depreciation, high debt servicing costs and elevated import bills.
Analysts say sustained increases in fuel costs could weaken consumer spending and slow economic activity if the government fails to implement additional mitigation measures.
Despite the unrest, authorities said security forces would act to prevent major disruptions and maintain access to critical infrastructure.
As negotiations between officials and transport operators continue, many Kenyans fear that prolonged fuel volatility could trigger further demonstrations and deepen social tensions over the cost of living.
