Fuel protests erupt in Nyahururu as youths clash with police

Protests in Nyahururu on Monday, May 25 /SCREENGRAB

Protesters in Nyahururu engaged police in running battles on Monday as anger over soaring fuel prices spilled into the streets, paralysing transport and forcing businesses to shut down across the town.

The demonstrations, largely led by youths and boda boda riders, disrupted normal operations in the Nyandarua county town, with major roads blocked using stones, logs and burning tyres as thick black smoke filled the air.

In videos circulating online, anti-riot police officers were seen firing teargas canisters to disperse crowds that had gathered at key junctions and entry points into the town.

Some protesters responded by hurling stones and chanting anti-government slogans over the rising cost of living and high fuel prices.

Businesses remained closed as fear and tension gripped the usually busy town centre, while matatus stayed off the roads, leaving commuters stranded and forcing many residents to walk.

Police also mounted heavy security patrols across Nyahururu as authorities sought to prevent the protests from escalating.

The demonstrations come amid growing public frustration following the sharp increase in fuel prices announced earlier this month by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (Epre).

Under the May 14 review, the price of Super Petrol rose by Sh16.65 per litre while diesel increased by Sh46.29, pushing pump prices in Nairobi to Sh214.25 and Sh242.92 respectively.

The increase triggered outrage among motorists, matatu operators, boda boda riders and transport companies, who warned that the high fuel costs would push up transport fares and worsen the already high cost of living.

The protests in Nyahururu also come days after a nationwide transport strike organised by the Transport Sector Alliance brought operations in several towns to a near standstill.

Thousands of commuters across the country were affected after matatus, online taxi operators, cargo transporters and boda boda riders withdrew services in protest over the fuel prices.

However, matatu operators officially called off the strike on Friday following talks with President William Ruto at State House in Mombasa.

During the meeting, Ruto announced that the government would further reduce the price of diesel by Sh10 per litre in the June-July pricing cycle as part of measures aimed at cushioning transport operators and consumers from the effects of the global fuel crisis.

The President said the government had also agreed to engage financial institutions to seek temporary relief for matatu operators with vehicle loans, while discussions would also be held with insurance companies over claims affecting public transport operators.

Matatu Owners Association chairman Albert Karakacha later confirmed that operators had abandoned plans for further industrial action after the government agreed to continue consultations with stakeholders.

“We have called off the strike. We will not have a strike next week; we are going to work,” Karakacha said on Friday.

Despite the truce between the government and transport operators, frustrations over fuel prices continue to simmer in different parts of the country, with many Kenyans warning that the rising cost of transport and essential commodities is becoming unbearable.