Four Killed As Kenya Fuel Price Protests Turn Deadly
At least four people have reportedly died and more than 30 others were injured after nationwide protests over rising fuel prices brought parts of Kenya to a standstill on Monday, 18 May 2026.
The demonstrations erupted as transport operators launched a nationwide strike over soaring fuel costs, leaving commuters stranded in cities including Nairobi and Mombasa. Protesters blocked roads with burning tyres while anti-riot police fired tear gas to disperse crowds.
Kenya’s Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen confirmed the deaths during a televised briefing.
“We lost four Kenyans in today’s violence, which also saw more than 30 people injured,” Murkomen said.
Authorities also confirmed that at least 348 people had been arrested during the unrest.
According to Reuters, the protests followed steep increases in retail fuel prices announced last week. Kenya raised fuel prices by as much as 23.5 percent after another 24.2 percent increase the previous month.
The latest increases pushed the price of petrol in Nairobi to 214.25 Kenyan shillings (US$1.66/approximately R27.56) per litre, while diesel rose to 242.92 Kenyan shillings (US$1.88/approximately R31.21).
Streets Empty As Strike Cripples Transport
Roads leading into Nairobi’s central business district were left nearly deserted as public transport operators parked vehicles in protest.
Reuters reports that commuters were forced to walk long distances to work and school after buses and minibuses stopped operating.
Some protesters blocked roads with stones and burning tyres, worsening congestion in several towns.
Transport association chairman Albert Karakacha said the strike would continue despite talks with government officials.
“We have not agreed on anything. What we are urging the president is that he must do something because the strike will continue. The strike is still on,” Karakacha said.
The government held meetings with transport and energy officials late on Monday, but negotiations reportedly failed to produce a breakthrough.
Public relations worker Gabriel Odhiambo told Reuters that daily life had become increasingly difficult due to the rising costs.
“Transport costs have doubled and food prices are also rising,” Odhiambo said.
He reportedly claimed that four tomatoes now cost 60 Kenyan shillings, nearly triple previous prices.
Government Blames Global Oil Crisis
Kenya’s Ministry of Energy and Petroleum defended the increases, saying global oil market instability linked to the conflict involving Iran had disrupted fuel supplies.
The East African country imports most of its fuel from Gulf nations, making it vulnerable to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.
Murkomen claimed that while most parts of the country remained calm, some protests had allegedly been infiltrated by criminal groups.
“Criminal elements were mobilised to target government and personal property,” he said.
However, opposition politician Rigathi Gachagua accused President William Ruto’s administration of benefiting from the fuel hikes.
Al Jazeera reports that rights groups quickly condemned the deaths during the protests.
Kenyan rights organisation Vocal Africa posted on social media that it strongly condemned what it described as the use of lethal force against demonstrators.
The latest unrest has revived memories of previous anti-government protests in Kenya. In June 2024, rights groups said at least 60 people were killed after police opened fire on demonstrators protesting against tax increases.
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