Protests Hit Nairobi Streets: Demonstrators Mobilize on Moi Avenue Over Fuel Hikes

NAIROBI — Protesters began gathering across key thoroughfares in Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD) on Monday morning ahead of planned demonstrations against rising fuel prices and their broader impact on household living expenses.

A spot check confirmed groups mobilizing along major city arteries, including Moi Avenue and Kimathi Street. Civil society actors and rights organizations, led by the Coalition of Human Rights Defenders, called for the action following recent petroleum price adjustments by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA). The latest tariff review pushed pump prices higher across the country, sparking widespread frustration among motorists, commuters, and small business owners who fear immediate ripple effects on basic commodity prices and public transport fares.

Demonstrators designated Kimathi Street as their primary assembly location, with organizers planning a peaceful procession through the city center toward government offices to present their grievances directly to policymakers. Organizers emphasized their commitment to maintaining order throughout the march, urging participants to keep the demonstration peaceful while voicing economic concerns shared by working-class families and low-income households.

The economic pressure stems from the rising cost of petrol, diesel, and kerosene, which directly influences production overheads, food supply chain logistics, and daily commuting expenses across Kenya’s urban centers. Activists maintain that tax adjustments on energy products are severely weakening consumer purchasing power at a time when many citizens are already navigating elevated inflation.

In response to the early morning gatherings, security personnel deployed along strategic points across the CBD to maintain law and order, monitor crowd movements, and minimize disruptions to regular commercial operations and traffic flow along high-volume commuter routes. While businesses in the capital remained largely open, traders expressed caution as crowds continued to gather throughout the morning.

HABARIZAHIVIPUNDE feedback-opera-news-app@opera.com