Fuel price protesters clashed with police in Nairobi’s Central Business District on Monday, October 26, 2026, leading to the arrest of several demonstrators as authorities moved to disperse the crowd. Tension remained high within the Nairobi CBD for the better part of Monday, with some businesses remaining closed.
The protests were sparked by growing public anger over the high cost of fuel and the rising cost of living, with activists and members of the public taking to the streets to demand government intervention.
Protesters marched through parts of the CBD carrying placards and chanting anti-government slogans as they called for lower fuel prices and relief from the increasing cost of essential goods and services.
Anger Over Recent Fuel Hikes
The protests come amid mounting concern over the impact of recent fuel price increases on households and businesses.
Higher pump prices have raised transport costs for commuters and goods, with fears that the increases could trigger higher prices for food and other essential commodities.
The Coalition of Human Rights Defenders said it had organised the demonstration to protest rising fuel prices and their effect on household budgets.
In a notice to police ahead of the protests, the coalition stated: “We, the Coalition of Human Rights Defenders, hereby notify your office of our intention to hold a peaceful demonstration on Monday, 26 October 2026, to protest the high cost of fuel and its impact on the cost of living.”
Some protesters accused authorities of failing to cushion consumers from rising energy costs, warning that continued increases could worsen financial strain on low-income households.
The demonstrators said fuel costs directly affect nearly every sector of the economy, influencing the prices of goods, services and transport.
They called for measures to ease the burden on consumers and protect vulnerable groups from further price shocks.
Government Defends Pricing Review
The government has maintained that fuel prices are determined through the monthly review conducted by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), which takes into account movements in global oil markets and other components of the fuel pricing formula.
Under the latest review, petrol in Nairobi rose to Ksh226.96 per litre, diesel to Ksh227.76 and kerosene to Ksh219.87.
Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi has defended the country’s fuel-pricing system, maintaining that the setting of pump prices is the responsibility of EPRA under the law and not individual government officials.
He also linked the increase to disruptions in global oil markets caused by the conflict in the Middle East, saying the pressure had raised import costs for petroleum products.
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