Protesters light bonfires during public transport strike in Kenya over fuel prices

Protests have erupted in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, as a nationwide public transport strike kicked off in protest at rising fuel prices

ShopGMA

Interest Successfully AddedWe'll notify you here with news aboutTurn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? OffOn

Stream on

Protesters light bonfires during public transport strike in Kenya over fuel prices

Protests have erupted in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, as a nationwide public transport strike kicked off in protest at rising fuel prices

ByThe Associated PressMay 18, 2026, 4:11 AM

1:10

NAIROBI, Kenya -- Protests erupted in Kenya’s capital Nairobi Monday as a nationwide public transport strike kicked off in protest at rising fuel prices.

Commuters were stranded in various suburbs and the city center remained deserted as motorists with private vehicles opted to stay home as protesters burned tires on major roads.

The Kenya Association of Private Schools had advised its members to assess and determine the safety of learners going to school, and most schools opted for online learning.

Kenya’s fuel prices hit a record high on Friday with the diesel price increasing by 23.5% and petrol by 8%.

President William Ruto, who has been out of the country, is yet to comment on the new prices. In the last price review in April he attributed it to the Iran war but reduced the taxes to prevent a sharp increase in price at the time.

The Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Friday said the increased prices would affect all commodities and services in the country.

Hantavirus updates: Canadian cruise ship passenger tests positive

May 17, 4:26 PM

Iran 'better get moving, FAST' and make a peace deal, Trump says

May 17, 1:30 PM

Trump calls Iran's latest response to proposal 'TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE'

May 11, 4:05 AM

“The April–May comparison shows that while global crude oil prices increased by about 10.7%, Kenya’s diesel price rose by 23.5% over the same period. This points to the continued role of domestic cost buildup,” the chamber of commerce said in a statement.

The country’s former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua, who joined the opposition after his impeachment, blamed the sharp rise on corrupt businesspeople who want to increase their profit margins.

He compared the fuel prices to those in neighboring landlocked countries that rely on Kenyan ports for importation of fuel, such as Uganda, where prices are lower.

Kenya serves as a major transport hub for businesspeople importing goods through the port of Mombasa to be ferried by road.