Kenya Matatu Strike Put On Hold After Fatal Fuel Price Protests

Kenya’s nationwide transport stoppage over steep fuel cost increases has been put on hold for one week, after four people died during large demonstrations against the higher prices.

The increases have been linked to the United States-Israeli war on Iran. Kenya, among several African states that depend heavily on fuel shipped from the Gulf, has lifted petrol prices by 20 percent and diesel prices by nearly 40 percent since Iran effectively restricted movement through the Strait of Hormuz, a major oil route that usually carries about one-fifth of global supply.

Transport operators began the strike on Monday after the latest fuel adjustment. The action was driven in large part by matatu operators, whose buses carry most public transport passengers across Kenya.

“The strike that is going on is suspended for a period of one week to provide an avenue for consultations and negotiations between the government and stakeholders,” Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen told reporters on Tuesday.

Albert Karakacha, who heads the Matatu Owners Association, also said the protest action had been suspended.

Officials reported that four people were killed across the country on Monday, while more than 30 others were hurt. Police said Tuesday that over 700 people had been detained in relation to the fuel-price demonstrations.

Human rights organisations criticised security forces for using deadly force. Amnesty International urged the authorities to show “maximum restraint”.

The protests also affected Kenya’s main trade route. Local media reported that truckers had stopped moving goods because they feared protesters could attack their vehicles and set them on fire.

The national energy regulator said last week that the government had used $38.5 million to help soften the impact of rising diesel and kerosene prices on consumers.

Kenyan officials also took an emergency step last month by temporarily easing fuel quality standards, saying the move was meant to protect supplies as shortages worsened.

Kenya remains one of East Africa’s more active economies, but it continues to face major social and economic gaps. About one-third of its roughly 50 million residents live in poverty, and joblessness remains high.