Kenya Matatu Strike Over Record Fuel Prices Paralyzes Transport Nationwide

Thousands of Kenyan commuters were stranded and businesses paralyzed Monday as public transport operators launched a nationwide strike to protest recent record increases in fuel prices.

Key roads in the capital, Nairobi, remained largely empty, forcing some commuters to walk to work, with other parts of the country also affected by the transport crisis. Businesses in some areas of Nairobi remained closed, and schools instructed students to stay home.

Local television footage Monday showed protesters barricading roads and setting fires.

The strike comes days after authorities raised petroleum prices to record levels, with costs increasing by more than 20%.

Kenya, like many other African countries, relies heavily on fuel imports from the Gulf, a supply route disrupted by the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran that began on Feb. 28. Although a ceasefire has been declared, fuel prices remain high because the Strait of Hormuz—through which a fifth of the world’s oil passes—is still blocked.

In parts of Nairobi and elsewhere across the country, police clashed with protesters, using tear gas to disperse them. The clashes came amid reports of demonstrators stopping and harassing some motorists.

Ahead of the strike, police assured Kenyans that security measures would be in place and warned against any disruptive conduct.

The association representing transport operators had earlier urged all vehicle users, including private motorists, public transport buses (locally known as matatus) and truckers, to stay off the roads as part of a coordinated shutdown.

“This action is not only for transport operators, but for every Kenyan citizen,” the Transport Sector Alliance (TSA) said in a statement.

The alliance has accused the government of not doing enough to shield Kenyans from rising fuel prices amid a broader high cost-of-living crisis.

It has called for the reversal of the price increases announced last week and for fuel prices to be reduced by about 35%.

The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (Epra) on Thursday raised prices to a high of 242 shillings ($1.8; £1.4) per liter for diesel and petrol to $1.65.

Treasury Minister John Mbadi told local NTV station on Monday that the increase in fuel prices was “unfortunate” and acknowledged that it was hurting the economy.

He however said the strike was “completely uncalled for” and the government would only make decisions that are “informed and not emotional.”

“Why are we trying to solve a global problem using domestic means?” he asked.

The high cost of fuel is being blamed for increases in the price of food and other basic goods and services, with public service vehicles already raising commuter fares.

Last month, the government cut value-added tax on fuel from 16% to 8% until July, but there have been calls for it to do more.

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