Monday, 18th May, 2026, was one of paralysis in Kenya: no commute, no school, and no business. Even then, lives were lost.
A pathetic situation prevails in Kenya, where people die while expressing what virtually every Kenyan is saying. The last time Gen Zs went out to the streets to protest the proposed Finance Bill, a number of them were shot dead. Others were injured.
This time round, transport operators withdrew their vehicles in protest of the exorbitant prices of diesel and petrol. The diesel price in Kenya has been around sh.243 and petrol around sh.214.
It is confounding to Kenyans that Uganda, Kenya’s landlocked neighbour, is availing fuel to its citizens at far lower prices. Diesel in Uganda is around sh.174, and petrol is around sh.180. Yet tankers have around 1,000 kilometers to travel to reach Uganda from Kenya’s Port of Mombasa.
The Current Situation in Kenya
The transport fraternity in Kenya announced yesterday that the fuel-related strike is still on. They said that the meeting their leaders had with government officials, including the Cabinet Secretary for Energy, Opiyo Wandayi, did not yield much.
New Fuel Prices Announced by the Government
Yesterday, the government set new fuel prices. However, from the announcement the transport operators’ leadership made soon after, it is apparent that the government took unilateral steps. This means the two sides did not agree on anything.
Notably, the operators opposed the government’s decision instantly, before the same media that the CS had addressed.
Kenya’s fuel prices today, as set by the government yesterday:
Petrol: No change
Diesel: From around sh.243 to around sh.233: a sh.10 reduction
Kerosene: From around sh.153 to around sh.191: a sh.38 increase.
According to the government, the increase in kerosene prices is intended to deter fuel traders from using it to adulterate diesel.
For now, the streets, towns, and cities of Kenya remain volatile. With yesterday’s shootings, accidental deaths, and injuries, people are fearful of venturing out.
It is unfortunate that ordinary life in the country has been disrupted in this manner. In many countries, such scenarios emanate from extremely serious incidents, such as external invasions or inter-tribal wars.
But apparently, in Kenya, a situation that seems straightforward is escalating because of inflated egos and insensitivity. Kenyans are hoping that everyone involved will treat the issue with the sensitivity and sobriety it deserves.
After all, the more people benefit economically and socially, the better it is for the country. The reverse is also true.