Four Dead And Many Injured Over Fuel Price Hikes Protests In Kenya/Image@ BBC
At least four individuals have lost their lives and over 30 others sustained injuries during protests linked to a nationwide transport strike in response to recent fuel price increases, according to the Interior Minister.
Thousands of commuters found themselves stranded as major roads in Nairobi were largely deserted, with several businesses closed and schools advising students to stay home.
Demonstrators have been obstructing roadways and setting up burning barricades. Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen reported that 348 people have been detained amid the unrest. The strike follows a significant rise in petroleum prices, which surged by more than 20%, reaching unprecedented levels.
Kenya, similar to numerous other African nations, heavily depends on fuel imports from the Gulf region. This supply chain has faced disruptions due to the ongoing US-Israel conflict with Iran that began on February 28.
Despite a ceasefire being declared, fuel prices remain elevated as the Strait of Hormuz, an essential passage for a fifth of the world’s oil, continues to experience blockages.
In Nairobi, many passengers were left waiting at bus stops, unable to enter the city. One commuter from Kitengela, who identified himself as Charles, expressed frustration, “There are no matatus anywhere.
We used to pay between 100 and 150 shillings, now it’s 300. Life is becoming unbearable.
President William Ruto, if you can hear us, please lower those fuel prices.”
A bus conductor transporting passengers from Tanzania reported that roadblocks prevented them from reaching Nairobi, leaving them stranded in Kajiado, approximately 75 kilometers from the capital.
”The bus was full, many were traveling for work. Now people are frustrated and stuck because transport has been disrupted,” he told the BBC.
Abdi Suleiman, a driver operating in Taveta near the Tanzanian border, shared his difficulties in sourcing food items due to the ongoing strike.
In various areas of Nairobi and across the nation, law enforcement utilized tear gas to disperse protesters who had blocked roads with burning tires and other obstacles. Reports indicated that demonstrators were stopping and harassing motorists.
Nairobi Police Commander, Issa Mohamud, confirmed that six officers were injured during the clashes, and both police and civilian vehicles suffered damage.
Prior to the strike, police had assured citizens that security measures were in place and cautioned against any disruptive actions.
In a statement to reporters on Monday evening, Murkomen lamented that “today’s protests have once again been exploited by political figures for their own agendas.”
He emphasized that “looting businesses and vandalizing public property will not lead to lower oil prices,” adding that “disrupting transport and damaging livelihoods will only exacerbate the challenges facing Kenyans.”
Murkomen also noted that most roads had been cleared following the protests.
The association representing transport operators previously urged all vehicle users, including private drivers, public transport vehicles known locally as matatus, and truck drivers, to refrain from using the roads as part of a coordinated shutdown.
”This initiative is not solely for transport operators but for every Kenyan citizen,” stated the Transport Sector Alliance (TSA) in a press release.
The alliance has criticized the government for failing to adequately protect Kenyans from escalating fuel prices amid a broader crisis of high living costs.
They have demanded the reversal of the price hikes announced last week and called for fuel costs to be lowered by approximately 35%.
The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (Epra) announced on Thursday that prices had been raised to 242 shillings ($1.8; £1.4) per liter for diesel and $1.65 for petrol.
Treasury Minister, John Mbadi, commented on local NTV on Monday that the surge in fuel prices was “regrettable” and recognized its negative impact on the economy.
However, he labeled the strike as “entirely unjustified” and insisted that the government would only make decisions that are “rational and not impulsive.”
”Why are we attempting to address a global issue with local solutions?” he questioned. The soaring fuel costs are being blamed for rising prices of food and other essential goods and services, with public transport already increasing fare rates.
Last month, the government reduced VAT on fuel from 16% to 8% until July, but there have been demands for more action.
Mbadi also mentioned that the government might contemplate additional tax relief measures if global prices keep climbing.
However, no consensus has been reached between the government and transport operators, raising concerns that the strike could persist.
By: Magdalene Agyeiwaa Sarpong