A nationwide strike by public transport operators in Kenya over rising fuel prices paralyzed transport services, leaving thousands of commuters stranded as protests, clashes and road blockades spread across major cities and towns, Anadolu reports.

Matatus, the private minibuses that serve as Kenya’s main form of public transport, mostly stayed off the roads as operators protested the price hikes. of oil and gasoline that have significantly increased operating costs.

In Nairobi, riot police used tear gas and arrested dozens of protesters as clashes broke out in parts of the capital. Protesters burned tires, blocked roads with rocks and barricades, while videos circulating on social media showed chaotic scenes of people running from police in several neighborhoods.

Local media also reported cases of vandalism and looting during the unrest, with several vehicles burned in different parts of the country.

Police said three boda boda drivers, operators of motorcycle taxis widely used for short-distance transportation in Kenya, were killed in a clash during protests in Kimbo, an area in Ruiru town about 25 kilometers northeast of Nairobi.

Transport disruptions were also reported in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru and Eldoret, with many commuters forced to walk long distances as buses, taxis, boda bodas and trucks joined the strike. Some schools switched to online learning due to security concerns and lack of transport.

National Matatu Owners Association representative Cornelius Chepsoi said the transport sector can no longer continue operating with the current fuel prices.

“We said we will stop our services until the government agrees to reduce the cost of fuel. Our strike is peaceful. Without the reduction in fuel prices of fuel, the country will grind to a halt,” Chepsoi said.

Fuel prices in Kenya rose sharply in the last monthly review, with petrol reaching around 214.25 Kenyan shillings ($1.66) per liter while diesel rose to around 242.92 shillings ($1.88) per litre, intensifying public anger over the country’s rising cost of living.

Rises have been linked to turbulence in global energy markets and fears of instability around the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil shipping route in the Middle East. Kenya is highly dependent on imported fuel, meaning disruptions affecting global oil supply and transport costs are quickly reflected in local fuel prices.

Source: prizrenpost