Kenya public transport strike halts travel over record fuel prices

A nationwide public transport strike brought Kenya to a standstill on Monday, stranding thousands of commuters and sparking protests in multiple cities over record-high fuel prices. The industrial action, which began at midnight, saw public service vehicles, long-distance truckers, and ride-hailing drivers keep their vehicles off the roads.

Major roads into the capital, Nairobi, were blocked by burning tires and barricades erected by demonstrators, while the city center remained largely deserted. Similar scenes of disruption were reported in Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, Eldoret, and several other major towns. Police deployed anti-riot units in some areas and fired tear gas to disperse crowds. Many private schools suspended in-person classes, opting for online learning due to safety concerns.

The strike was organized by transport sector alliances in response to last week's government-mandated fuel price increase. The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority raised the price of diesel by 23.5 percent to 242.92 Kenyan shillings per litre and increased petrol by approximately 8 percent to 214.25 shillings. Industry representatives called the prices unsustainable. Albert Karakacha,...