Kenya Erupts Over Fuel Hikes as Global Oil Crisis Bites Deeper

A new wave of protests has erupted in Kenya following the increase in fuel prices and a subsequent directive from the Transport Sector Alliance directing all public service vehicles, motorcycle taxis (boda bodas), and commercial trucks to ground operations. 

The strike began on May 18, 2026, across the country and soon escalated into violent protests sweeping in several urban centres and cities, including Nairobi and Kisumu. According to reports, demonstrators have clashed with the police, and about four people have been killed so far, with at least 30 injured in this unrest that has entered its second day. 

Why are Kenyans Protesting?

The cause of this wave of unrest sweeping through Kenya is the sharp increase in fuel prices. For some months, fuel prices have increased across the East African region and the global market due to the ongoing conflict between the US and Iran, which has led to the repeated closure of the Strait of Hormuz. 

This closure has caused countries reliant on oil imports passing through the Persian Gulf, including Kenya, its East African neighbours, and major global consumers, to suffer from severe energy supply disruptions, skyrocketing inflation, and a crushing surge in the cost of living.

This global energy crisis strikes Kenya exceptionally hard because 80% of the refined products on which the country depends come directly from the Middle East. The Strait of Hormuz embargo leaves African oil tankers stranded. This has forced the Kenyan government into desperate emergency measures, including lowering its environmental fuel-quality standards just to secure lower-grade fuel from alternative, higher-cost global regions. 

Also, the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) was forced to raise retail fuel prices by a 23.5% hike. This hike was announced on May 14, 2026, and it is the second increase in two months; the first was a 24.2% increase implemented on April 15, 2026. The latest 23.5% increase was announced on May 14, 2026, and took effect the following day.  Under the new pricing cost, super petrol now sells at 214.25 Kenyan shillings per litre (from 206.97), while diesel costs 242.25 shillings per litre (from 196.63).

Gored by the harsh effects of the increase, the Transport Sector Alliance ordered all public transport vehicles to immediately halt operations. This directive grounded the operations of all matatus (minibuses), boda bodas (motorcycle taxis), and commercial trucks, banning them from carrying passengers or cargo until the government rolled back the fuel hikes. Commuters have been stranded ever since, and many have had to walk hours to work. 

How is the Kenyan Government Responding? 

Many commuters have been stranded due to the lack of transport operations and the ongoing unrest in different parts of Kenya. Businesses and schools have begun closing down as well. Prominent roads have been blocked with burning tyres and barricades in major cities. 

The protests have turned violent in a number of locations as demonstrators have clashed with police officers. No less than 4 have been killed, with more than 30 left injured as the protests continue to rise. 

Speaking about the situation on May 18, 2026, John Mbadi, the Treasury Minister, noted that the hike was unfortunate and harsh. He also condemned the strike action and protests tearing through the country. He went on to add that the government has been considering several options to lessen the effects of the hike. For instance, he pointed out, the government reduced the VAT on fuel from 16% to 8% last month.  He nevertheless emphasised that the issue was beyond the Kenyan government.

The situation in Kenya is a pointer to the fact that the underbelly of many African countries remains exposed to geopolitical conflicts that do not involve them because our economies are heavily dependent on imported goods and products, as well as foreign-controlled shipping routes. Spikes in global fuel prices have translated into inflation, food insecurity, transport disruption, and social unrest across many African countries, not just Kenya. 

Thus, there is a clarion call for African leaders to reconsider the continent’s dependence on external energy supply chains and begin exploring sustainable ways to make Africa more self-sufficient in this regard. 

Governments across the continent may need to accelerate the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area, as well as other projects such as regional oil storage networks, cross-border energy partnerships, domestic refining expansion, and renewable alternatives to reduce dependence on imported fuel.