Kenya transport strike over fuel price hikes called off

By George Obulutsa and Vincent Mumo NzilaniWednesday May 20, 2026

People walk during a strike by public transport operators driven by rising fuel costs, linked to global supply pressures following the war in Iran, in Githurai area of Nairobi, Kenya May 19, 2026. REUTERS/Monicah Mwangi Purchase Licensing Rights

Kenya’s public transport strike, launched over fuel price increases tied to the war in Iran, was suspended on Tuesday after the government struck an interim deal with associations representing bus and minibus owners.

The walkout had already fed broader unrest over the cost of living. On Monday, four people were killed and around 30 others were injured in protests connected to the strike, Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen said.

Murkomen, speaking at a joint news conference with transport groups, said the strike would be put on hold for one week while talks continued between the government and operators.

Negotiations on Monday, the first day of the strike, ended without a settlement even though the government agreed to trim the diesel price by about 10 shillings a litre.

Transport operators had pressed for a much steeper cut of 46 shillings per litre in diesel, the fuel they rely on most.

Energy Minister Opiyo Wandayi told reporters the 10-shilling-per-litre reduction would cost the government 2.7 billion Kenyan shillings ($20.79 million) in lost revenue.

COMMUTERS WALK TO WORK OR ‌PAY ⁠FAR MORE

Despite the announcement, bus and minibus services remained disrupted across Kenya on Tuesday morning and some schools stayed closed, although the transport associations later urged members to resume work.

Kenya imports almost all of its fuel from the Middle East through government-to-government arrangements with suppliers in the Gulf.

Over the past two months, higher fuel prices have driven up transport fares sharply and lifted the cost of basic goods, adding more strain to households already grappling with the rising cost of living.

Nairobi saw a heavy police presence on Tuesday, a day after protesters blocked roads and clashed with security forces, who fired tear gas to break up the demonstrations.

Ian, a commuter who declined to give his surname, said his usual fare to work was 100 shillings but that on Tuesday he had to pay five times as much.

“It took ‌a lot of time to get a vehicle. I ended ‌up paying a personal vehicle to help me get to town and that means I have parted with 500 shillings,” he said. “That ‌is the biggest challenge.”

($1 = 129.8500 Kenyan shillings)

Additional reporting by Jefferson Kahinju and Humphrey Malalo; Editing by Alexander Winning