A nationwide strike by Kenya’s public transport operators over rising fuel prices paralyzed transport services on Monday, leaving thousands of commuters stranded as protests, clashes and road blockades spread across major towns and cities.
Matatus, the privately operated minibuses that serve as Kenya’s main form of public transportation, largely stayed off the roads as operators protested soaring diesel and gasoline prices that have sharply increased operating costs.
In Nairobi, anti-riot police fired teargas and arrested dozens of protesters as running battles erupted in parts of the capital. Protesters lit tires, blocked roads with stones and barricades, while videos circulating on social media showed chaotic scenes of people fleeing police in several neighborhoods.
Local media also reported cases of vandalism and looting during the unrest, with some vehicles torched in different parts of the country.
Police said three boda boda riders, operators of motorcycle taxis widely used for short-distance transport in Kenya, died in a collision during the protests in Kimbo, an area in Ruiru town about 25 kilometers (15 miles) northeast of Nairobi.
Transport disruptions were also reported in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru and Eldoret, with many commuters forced to walk long distances after buses, taxis, boda bodas and trucks joined the strike. Some schools shifted to online learning due to safety concerns and transport shortages.
National Matatu Owners Association representative Cornelius Chepsoi said the transport sector could no longer sustain operations under the current fuel prices.
“We said we would stop our services until the government agrees to reduce the cost of fuel. Our strike is peaceful. Without lowering fuel prices, the country will come to a standstill,” Chepsoi said.
Fuel prices in Kenya rose sharply in the latest monthly review, with super petrol rising to about 214.25 Kenyan shillings ($1.66) per liter while diesel climbed to roughly 242.92 shillings ($1.88) per liter, intensifying public anger over the country’s rising cost of living.
The increases have been linked to turbulence in global energy markets and fears over instability around the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil shipping route in the Middle East. Kenya depends heavily on imported fuel, meaning disruptions affecting global crude supply and transport costs are quickly reflected in local pump prices.
By Andrew Wasike in Nairobi, Kenya
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com.tr
