Kenya Fuel Prices Reach Record Highs as Protests and Strike Begin

Protests broke out in Nairobi on Monday as a nationwide public transport strike began over rising fuel prices. Commuters were left without service in suburbs and the city center stayed largely empty. Drivers of private vehicles remained at home while protesters burned tires on major roads.

The Kenya Association of Private Schools advised members to check safety conditions for students. Most schools switched to online learning. 5 percent and gasoline rising 8 percent.

In the previous price review in April, President William Ruto attributed higher costs to the Iran war and cut taxes to limit the increase. The Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry stated on Friday that the new prices would raise costs for all commodities and services.

5 percent over the same period. It said this gap points to continued domestic cost buildup. Former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua, who joined the opposition after his impeachment in October 2024, blamed the sharp rise on corrupt businesspeople seeking higher profit margins.

He compared Kenya’s prices to those in neighboring landlocked countries such as Uganda that import fuel through Kenyan ports. Kenya serves as a major transport hub for goods entering through the port of Mombasa and moving by road to other countries.