By Sherif Lawal
Thousands of commuters across Kenya were forced to trek long distances on Monday after transport operators launched a nationwide strike over soaring fuel prices, triggering protests in Nairobi, Mombasa and other major towns.
The unrest followed fresh increases in pump prices announced by Kenya’s Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority, with diesel rising by 23.5 per cent after a similar hike last month. Transport workers say the repeated increases have pushed operating costs beyond survival levels.
Roads leading into the capital Nairobi were blocked with burning tyres and makeshift barricades as police moved to disperse protesters with tear gas. In several areas, schools switched to virtual learning over safety concerns.
Kenya, heavily dependent on imported fuel, has blamed global supply pressures linked to the Iran conflict for the sharp rise in energy costs.
