How brutal are fuel-price protests in Kenya?

On 18 and 19 May, public transport operators staged demonstrations across Kenya against the recent move by the government to increase fuel prices, citing the increased cost of doing business.

ACLED’s Kenya Researcher said: 

“On the first day of protests, ACLED records at least 45 events as part of the near-countrywide shutdown, including in President William Ruto’s rural homeland of Eldoret, where he enjoys strong support. 

"Following the growing pattern of nationwide unrest since the current administration came to power in 2022, the latest riots quickly turned violent. Demonstrators erected burning barricades on roads leading into major cities and towns, looted and vandalized businesses, torched nine trucks and a private vehicle, set fire to a ruling party office, and hurled stones at the entourage of a member of parliament, among other incidents. Security forces responded with tear gas, live ammunition, and mass arrests in an effort to contain the unrest. ACLED records at least eight fatalities on the first day of the demonstrations alone.

“Although calm has since returned following negotiations with the government, the riots have heightened tensions ahead of what is expected to be a particularly contentious national budget season. In the short term, the government’s anticipated push for further austerity measures through the Finance Bill 2026 — which it is proposing against the backdrop of a fragile economy — is likely to fuel renewed public anger and increase the risk of further unrest across the country. In the long term, the riots are likely to shape the upcoming 2027 general election campaign agenda on reducing the cost of living more generally.”