Police say 225 protesters have been arrested so far

Nairobi Regional Police Commander Issa Mohamud speaking on May 18, 2026 / Screengrab. 

At least 225 protesters have been arrested following protests over high fuel prices in Nairobi and across the country.

Police said the demonstrations were unlawful, disruptive, and economically damaging.

Nairobi Regional Police Commander Issa Mohamud said officers had taken firm action during the unrest, which he claimed escalated into riots involving road blockages, destruction of property, and attacks on police officers.

“We have 225 arrests so far. We will charge them with serious offences, economic sabotage, and so many things, and the malicious damage of police vehicles. So, they will face serious consequences of the law,” he said.

He said the protests were not lawfully notified and insisted they quickly degenerated into violent confrontations that disrupted normal life in the capital.

“We were not notified; we were not aware, so we were not notified in advance. It was not peaceful, it was armed, so it was illegal,” he said.

“They started blocking roads using blocks, rocks and boulders, thus disrupting public order, interfering with the rights of others and other road users, which is illegal and amounts to a breach of the law.”

Mohamud said the disruption extended beyond public order, affecting transport systems, businesses, and essential services, which police classified as economic sabotage.

He alleged that security agencies had received intelligence warning that armed individuals intended to exploit the unrest to loot businesses and destroy property.

“There was deliberate obstruction of transport networks and disruption of businesses, and all this constitutes economic sabotage. This constitutes economic sabotage because it is affecting livelihoods and critical services in the capital city,” he added.

“We had credible intelligence that there were hired goons who will be armed with Korean weapons who want to exploit the situation. They wanted to exploit the situation, to loot supermarkets and shops, destroy private and public properties, and cause malicious damage and incite others.”

According to the police commander, officers were deployed under strict instructions to restore order and ensure that major roads and infrastructure remained accessible.

He dismissed claims that the gatherings were legitimate protests, insisting they amounted to criminal activity disguised as public demonstrations.

“It was not a protest. It was a riot and with the intention to loot. Nairobi will not be held hostage by lawlessness, and we will not allow criminals to hijack public space or intimidate citizens or destroy properties.”

Mohamud also linked the unrest to broader economic pressures, including global fuel price fluctuations, saying such issues could not be resolved through violent demonstrations.

“When the issue of oil is a global phenomenon, it is not unique to Kenya. Global oil prices, global oil supply has reduced, while demand remains high, pushing prices upwards. These decisions cannot be solved through an unlawful or riotous mob.”

He added that six police officers were injured during the clashes and confirmed damage to police and civilian vehicles.