Kenya protests erupt over record fuel prices and rising cost of living

Added: 2026-05-19

[00:00:00]Kenya was brought to a standstill on Monday as protest erupted in Nairobi during a nationwide public transport strike over soaring fuel prices and the rising cost of living.

[00:00:11]Commuters were stranded across the capital as demonstrators burned tires on major roads forcing many motorists to stay home. Fuel prices have gone up and life has become increasingly expensive.

[00:00:25]Our livelihoods have been badly affected. The cost of living is now unbearable and we cannot continue like this.

[00:00:33]Several schools switched to online learning after safety concerns prompted education officials to advise parents and school administrators to assess conditions before sending children to class. The unrest follows a sharp increase in fuel prices announced on Friday. Diesel rose by 23.5% while petrol increased by 8% pushing pump prices to record highs.

[00:00:59]President William Ruto is currently out of the country has not yet commented on the latest price hikes.

[00:01:11]We're struggling with a high cost of living and fuel prices have gone up. We can barely afford food or clothing.

[00:01:19]We're praying that God would help us and that the situation will improve.

[00:01:27]The Kenyan National Chamber of Commerce and Industry warned that the higher fuel costs would drive up the price of goods and services nationwide adding pressure to households and businesses alike.