At least four people have been killed in protests across Kenya over sharp fuel price rises, as a nationwide transport strike brought parts of the country to a standstill.
Kenya’s Interior Minister, Kipchumba Murkomen, said more than 30 people were also injured in violence that erupted across several towns on Monday.
The unrest followed a strike by transport operators, who halted services from midnight in protest against rising fuel costs, stranding commuters and blocking key roads.
In the capital, Nairobi, roads were obstructed by striking drivers and groups of protesters, with some demonstrations turning confrontational. Police fired tear gas to disperse crowds, while protesters burned tyres, worsening traffic congestion and leaving many unable to reach work or school.
In the port city of Mombasa, the strike raised concerns over potential supply chain delays, highlighting the wider economic impact of the disruption.
Kenya’s Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority raised fuel prices last week by up to 23.5%, following a previous increase of 24.2% the month before. The rises have been linked to global supply pressures stemming from conflict in the Middle East.
The price of petrol in Nairobi has climbed to more than 214 Kenyan shillings per litre, while diesel has risen sharply to nearly 243 shillings.
Kenya imports most of its fuel from the Middle East, and the increases have pushed up transport fares and the cost of basic goods, placing additional strain on households already grappling with the high cost of living.
Many Kenyans say the rising fuel costs are having a direct impact on everyday life. Gabriel Odhiambo, a public relations worker, said his transport expenses had doubled, while food prices had surged. He noted that the cost of four tomatoes had tripled in recent weeks.
Residents say the effects go beyond transport. Liberata Wambui told AnewZ that the strike had exposed how deeply fuel price rises affect ordinary citizens.
“Many children were unable to go to school because parents could not find affordable or reliable transport,” she said. “Some schools recorded very low attendance, while others had to adjust their schedules because both students and teachers struggled to commute.”
She added that businesses had also been hit, with shops closing, workers unable to report for duty, and many small enterprises losing a day’s income. Streets that are usually busy were noticeably quieter as people chose to stay at home rather than face high transport costs.
Murkomen said ministers from the finance, transport and energy ministries were due to meet transport operators in an effort to resolve the crisis.
Earlier, Finance Minister John Mbadi said current fuel prices were already being subsidised, a claim that has done little to ease public frustration.
Many citizens say the government has failed to respond adequately to rising costs, arguing that fuel price increases are now affecting not only transport, but also education, businesses and everyday life across the country.
Wildfires have broken out in Türkiye’s Antalya province, forcing hundreds of people to evacuate as strong winds fuelled the flames....
Four people were killed, including a child, in Ukrainian strikes on the Russian port city of Novorossiysk overn...
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) said on Wednesday they attacked two U.S. vessels and eight oil tankers in the Persian Gulf, calling the st...
Four people were killed, including a child, in Ukrainian strikes on the Russian port city of Novorossiysk overnight, according to the governor of the Krasnodar region. Ukraine's drone forces commander, Robert Brovdi, said Russian military ships were destroyed in the attacks.
A TV channel was struck during a live broadcast on Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, as Russian strikes on Kyiv killed at least three people, the city's Mayor Vitali Klitschko said. Meanwhile, drones hit civilian infrastructure in Russia's southwestern Saratov region.
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said its forces destroyed five Iranian crude oil carriers after the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) allegedly launched two ballistic missile attacks against a U.S. Navy warship over the past two days.
U.S. special envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff have held talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv on Sunday on efforts to end Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Indonesia has reopened Jakarta's main airport and four others after volcanic ash from Mount Anak Krakatau forced widespread flight cancellations, though fresh eruptions have kept authorities on alert.
Four people were killed, including a child, in Ukrainian strikes on the Russian port city of Novorossiysk overnight, according to the governor of the Krasnodar region. Ukraine's drone forces commander, Robert Brovdi, said Russian military ships were destroyed in the attacks.
North Korea has built a new uranium enrichment facility at its Yongbyon nuclear complex in the northwest of the country and begun operating an expanded site at Kangson, near the capital Pyongyang, the United Nation’s nuclear watchdog has said.
Israel has ordered the closure of the British consulate in East Jerusalem and banned 12 British nationals from entering the country, escalating a diplomatic row with London over Israeli settlements in the West Bank.
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for the 9th of September, covering the latest developments.
The United States has announced a ban on a range of Canadian products, including alcoholic beverages, dairy goods and motorcycles, as retaliatory Canadian tariffs on U.S. imports take effect.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment