Kenya Transport Operators Suspend Strike for One Week After Deadly Fuel Price Protests

Public transport operators in Kenya have suspended their nationwide strike for one week, opening the door for fresh negotiations with the government after two days of violent protests that left at least four people dead and more than 30 injured.

The strike brought transport services across the country to a standstill, with operators keeping vehicles off the roads for a second consecutive day and leaving thousands of commuters stranded. In Nairobi, major highways were blocked as protesters clashed with police and set tyres ablaze, causing severe traffic disruptions and making key routes impassable.

Residents reported significant economic hardship and disruption to daily activities during the shutdown. Benard Onyango, a Nairobi resident, said business activity in the central business district had slowed dramatically and urged authorities to lower fuel prices to ease pressure on households.

Public transport worker Emily Otuoma said the strike had affected her source of income and disrupted children’s access to school due to transport shortages. Another resident, Julian Achola, described chaotic scenes across the city, saying blocked roads and movement restrictions had heavily affected families.

The unrest followed failed negotiations between transport unions and the government over rising fuel costs. Operators demanded reductions in fuel prices to offset increasing operating expenses, while the government blamed the hikes on global energy disruptions linked to tensions involving Iran.

Opposition leaders, however, accused the government of corruption and profiteering, arguing that local policies were worsening the economic burden on ordinary citizens.