Kenya paralyzed by protests over rising fuel prices

Written by Ziad Abdel Fattah:

Kenya experienced a state of Complete paralysis On Monday, protests erupted in Nairobi during a nationwide public transport strike over rising fuel prices and increasing living costs.

This caused travel to be stranded across the capital after protesters set fire to car tires on main roads, forcing many motorists to stay at home.

Schools switch to distance learning

Several schools switched to remote learning after security concerns prompted education officials to advise parents and school administrators to assess the situation before sending children to classrooms.

Protester Brighton Combo said that this government is frustrating the citizens. Fuel prices have risen, life has become very expensive, livelihoods have been severely affected, and the cost of living has become unbearable.

Fuel prices in Kenya have risen sharply

This disruption comes in the wake of a sharp rise in fuel prices announced last Friday, with diesel rising by 23.5% and gasoline by 8%, pushing fuel prices to record levels.

One of the protesters, named Hispon Manyora, said: “The citizen is suffering from the high cost of living, and we can barely afford food or clothing. We pray to God to help us and for the situation to improve.”.

The Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry has warned that rising fuel costs will lead to higher prices for goods and services nationwide, putting further pressure on both households and businesses.

President William Ruto, who is currently abroad, has not commented on the latest price increases.

Corruption is a cause

Former Vice President Regathi Gatchagwa blamed the increase on corruption and questioned why fuel prices remained more expensive in Kenya compared to neighboring Uganda, even though Kenya is the region's main import hub via the port of Mombasa.

Days ago, Kenya made history as the first non-French-speaking African country to host the Africa-France Summit, which had been held exclusively in France or French-speaking African countries since its inception in 1973.

On Monday, May 11, the “Africa Forward” summit, jointly organized by France and Kenya, kicked off in Nairobi with the opening of an economic forum aimed at strengthening “profitable” partnerships between France and the African continent. Thousands of companies from the continent and from France participated in the forum to expand their networks with the aim of winning new contracts.