Protests have broken out across parts of Kenya following a sharp increase in fuel prices and the rising cost of living, with hundreds of youths taking to the streets in recent days.
Gatekeepers News reports that the demonstrations began on Tuesday, disrupting traffic in several areas as protesters voiced frustration over economic hardship. In Nairobi, crowds gathered at the Kenya National Archives, where they sang the national anthem and played football in a largely peaceful show of dissent.
However, police later dispersed the gathering using water cannons and arrested at least 11 protesters in the central business district. Those detained were arraigned in court on Wednesday.
No fatalities were reported—marking a contrast with the deadly unrest that accompanied the 2024 Finance Bill protests in Kenya.
The protests were sparked by a recent hike in fuel prices, which followed a decision by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) on April 15 to revise the maximum retail prices.
Under the new pricing, petrol rose by 16.1 percent while diesel increased by 24.2 percent. EPRA attributed the hike to rising import costs, which it said had surged by as much as 68.7 percent.
Kenya’s reliance on fuel imports from Gulf suppliers has further worsened the situation, with global supply disruptions linked to the Strait of Hormuz contributing to price spikes.
The protests gained traction online under the hashtag #RejectFuelPrices, amplified by opposition figures calling for nationwide demonstrations.
The government, however, dismissed the protests as a “mobilisation of gangs,” arguing that organisers failed to comply with the required 14-day notice for lawful demonstrations.
President William Ruto also questioned the rationale behind the protests.
“There are others saying that because fuel prices have increased globally, they will hold protests in the country. I want to ask, if they protest, will the cost of fuel decrease? We must use our brains to find ways to reduce the price of fuel,” he said.
Ruto noted that the government had already taken steps to cushion the impact by absorbing part of the increase through subsidies.
In an effort to ease tensions, the administration announced an eight percent reduction in Value Added Tax (VAT), bringing petrol prices down to Sh197.60 per litre (about $1.53).
However, the measure has done little to calm public anger, as many citizens continue to grapple with the effects of an earlier record high of Sh206.97 per litre (about $1.60).
Meanwhile, businesses in cities such as Embu shut down preemptively amid fears of unrest, highlighting growing anxiety over the economic situation.
