Kenya Fuel Strike Protests Leave Four Dead, Dozens Injured

BBC – Four people have been killed and at least 30 others injured during protests linked to Kenya’s nationwide transport strike against recent fuel price hikes, according to Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen.

Thousands of commuters were stranded as key roads in the capital, Nairobi, remained largely deserted, with some businesses closed and schools advising students to stay home. Protesters blocked roads and set up burning barricades.

Murkomen said 348 people had been arrested.The strike comes days after authorities increased petroleum prices to record highs, with costs rising by more than 20%.

Kenya, like many African nations, heavily depends on fuel imports from the Gulf. Supply disruptions linked to the US-Israel conflict with Iran, which began on February 28, have worsened the situation. Although a ceasefire has since been declared, fuel prices remain high because the Strait of Hormuz — a route through which about a fifth of the world’s oil passes — remains blocked.

Many passengers were left stranded at bus stops in Nairobi on Monday morning, while travellers arriving from other regions could not access the city.

“There is no matatu anywhere… We used to pay 100 to 150 shillings, right now it’s 300. Life is becoming so unbearable. So please, President William Ruto, wherever you are, if you can listen to us Kenyans, please lower those fuel prices,” a Kitengela resident identified as Charles told Reuters.

A bus conductor travelling from Tanzania said passengers were stranded in Kajiado, about 75km from Nairobi, after roadblocks halted movement.

“The bus was full. Many passengers were travelling for work and business. People are now stranded and frustrated because transport has been disrupted,” he told the BBC.

In Taveta, near the Kenya-Tanzania border, trader Abdi Suleiman said he could not transport food supplies from Tanzania because of the strike.

Police in Nairobi and other parts of the country used tear gas to disperse protesters who had blocked roads with burning tyres and barricades. There were also reports of protesters stopping and harassing motorists.

Nairobi police commander Issa Mohamud said six police officers were injured during the clashes, while five police vehicles and one civilian vehicle were damaged.

Speaking to reporters on Monday evening, Murkomen said it was “unfortunate that today’s protests have once again been hijacked by political actors for political ends”.

“Looting businesses and vandalising public property can in no way bring down oil prices,” he said. “Disrupting transport and destroying livelihoods will only worsen the situation facing Kenyans.”

He added that most roads had since been cleared.

The alliance organising the strike accuses the government of failing to protect citizens from soaring fuel prices amid the wider cost-of-living crisis. It has demanded a reversal of last week’s fuel price increases and called for prices to be reduced by about 35%.The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority last Thursday raised diesel and petrol prices to a record 242 Kenyan shillings per litre.

Treasury Minister John Mbadi described the fuel price increase as “unfortunate” and admitted it was hurting the economy. However, he criticised the strike, calling it “completely uncalled for”.

“Why are we trying to solve a global problem using domestic means?” Mbadi asked.

The rising fuel costs have triggered increases in food prices and transport fares, worsening pressure on households.

Last month, the government reduced VAT on fuel from 16% to 8% until July, though many Kenyans have urged authorities to take additional action.

Mbadi said the government could consider more tax relief measures if global fuel prices continue to rise, but no agreement has yet been reached with transport operators, raising fears the strike may continue.