A nationwide transport strike in Kenya triggered by rising fuel prices was suspended on Tuesday after causing major economic disruption and leaving at least four people dead.
Gatekeepers News reports that the strike, led mainly by operators of Kenya’s “matatu” buses — the country’s primary mode of public transport — followed sharp increases in petrol and diesel prices linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Kenya, like many African nations dependent on fuel imports from the Gulf region, has seen petrol prices rise by 20 percent and diesel prices by nearly 40 percent after disruptions to traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil route.
Announcing the temporary suspension of the protest, Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen said discussions would be held between the government and industry stakeholders.
“The strike that is going on is suspended for a period of one week to provide an avenue for consultations and negotiations between the government and stakeholders,” Murkomen told reporters on Tuesday.
Matatu Owners Association president Albert Karakacha also confirmed the suspension but warned that operators could resume protests if negotiations fail to produce meaningful results.
Earlier, Cornelius Chepsoi, chairman of the Rig Owners Association, dismissed the possibility of accepting minor price reductions.
“We would not be satisfied by a political move lowering the price of diesel by a very tiny margin,” he said.
Analysts warned that the unrest in Kenya could signal broader instability across Africa if global oil prices remain high.
Last week, protests over fuel price increases also paralysed Comoros, where one death was recorded.
Political analyst Jervin Naidoo said the Kenyan crisis may be an indication of what other African countries could face in the coming months.
“We think the unrest in Kenya is an early indicator of what could unfold elsewhere across the continent if elevated oil prices persist,” Naidoo warned.
“As the conflict in the Middle East enters its third month, the risk of further supply disruptions and sustained price increases remains high.”
The strike disrupted activities across Nairobi, with schools, embassies, and businesses shut down in parts of the capital.
Faith, a nurse at Poplar Hospital who declined to give her surname, said she was stranded at work for 24 hours because she could not get transportation home.
“I did not expect this… It’s really affecting patient care, big time,” she said, adding that she still supported the strike because “the fuel prices don’t make sense”.
Kenyan authorities said four people were killed and more than 30 injured during Monday’s protests, while police confirmed that over 700 people had been arrested nationwide.
Rights groups, including Amnesty International, condemned the violence and urged security agencies to exercise restraint.
Meanwhile, Kenya’s trade corridor operations were disrupted as truck drivers reportedly refused to transport goods over fears of attacks by demonstrators.
Treasury and Economic Planning Minister John Mbadi defended the government’s position, saying the fuel price crisis was caused by external factors.
“This is a war that we have not caused,” he told NTV on Monday.
Economists warned that continued protests could deepen pressure on Kenya’s fragile economy. Economist XN Iraki estimated that a single day of nationwide protests could cost the country about 50 billion shillings (approximately $390 million).
Another economist, Kwame Owino, said the government faces a difficult balancing act because fuel taxes remain a major source of revenue used to manage public debt and spending.
The country’s energy regulator disclosed last week that the government had spent $38.5 million to cushion the impact of rising diesel and kerosene prices on consumers.
Authorities also suspended fuel quality standards last month to ease supply shortages.
Despite being one of East Africa’s most vibrant economies, Kenya continues to struggle with high unemployment and poverty, with about one-third of its population of 50 million living below the poverty line.
