Two killed in nationwide anti-fuel price protests

The torched car/HANDOUT

At least two people were killed during protests opposing the new high fuel prices in the country.

The deaths occurred in Gachie, Kiambu County, and Nakuru Town, police said. Several others were injured in the chaos. Witnesses claimed the Kiambu victim was shot dead.

The victim in Nakuru was hit by a speeding vehicle during running battles. There are fears of more deaths following clashes between protesters and anti-riot police.

Witnesses said there was a shooting incident outside a supermarket in Nakuru which led to a death. Police could not confirm the incident.

Property of unknown value was destroyed in the chaos, while other properties were looted in Naivasha and Ruiru, police said.

Anti-riot police were dispatched later in the afternoon to battle protesters who had blocked roads.

Thousands of Kenyan commuters were stranded and businesses paralysed as public transport operators went on a nationwide strike to protest recent increases in fuel prices.

Key roads in Nairobi remained largely empty, forcing some commuters to walk to work, while other parts of the country were also affected by the transport crisis. Businesses in parts of Nairobi remained shut, and schools asked students to stay at home.

Protesters have been barricading roads and lighting fires on them as the demonstrations continue.

The strike comes days after authorities raised petroleum prices to record levels, with costs increasing by more than 20 per cent.

Kenya, like many other African countries, relies heavily on fuel imports from the Gulf, a supply route disrupted by the US-Israel conflict with Iran that began on February 28. Even though a ceasefire has been declared, fuel prices have remained high as the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world’s oil passes, remains blocked.

In parts of Nairobi and elsewhere across the country, police clashed with protesters, using teargas to disperse them. This came amid reports of demonstrators stopping and harassing some motorists.

Ahead of the strike, police assured Kenyans that security measures would be in place and warned against any disruptive conduct.

The association representing transport operators had earlier urged all vehicle users, including private motorists; public transport buses locally known as matatus, and truckers, to stay off the roads as part of a coordinated shutdown.

“This action is not only for transport operators, but for every Kenyan citizen,” the Transport Sector Alliance (TSA) said in a statement.

The alliance accused the government of not doing enough to shield Kenyans from rising fuel prices amid a broader cost-of-living crisis.

It has called for the reversal of the price increases announced last week and for fuel prices to be reduced by about 35 per cent.

The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) on Thursday raised diesel prices to a high of Sh242 per litre and petrol prices to Sh214 per litre in Nairobi.