Public transport was largely shut down and protesters barricaded roads in Kenya on Monday as a strike was called over a fuel price hike triggered by the Middle East war.
Kenya is one of many African countries dependent on fuel imports from the Gulf, and heavily hit by Iran’s effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz through which a fifth of the world’s oil normally passes. (Photo by Luis TATO / AFP)
Thousands of commuters were stranded by a strike by “matatu” minibuses, which provide the only form of public transport in the Kenyan capital but are privately owned.
The Daily Nation newspaper published a video of clashes between protesters and police in Kiambu, a satellite town outside Nairobi.
Away from the protest sites, Nairobi’s streets were almost empty compared to the usual morning congestion, with schools closed and many events cancelled.
Last month, Kenyan authorities also suspended their fuel quality standards to maintain supply in the face of shortages.
“The strike is completely uncalled for, even though the prices of petroleum products have risen,” John Mbadi, treasury and economic planning minister, told the NTV broadcaster.
“This is a war that we have not caused,” he added.
“The government will discuss if we can do more. But you have to balance it off with the entire macroeconomic fundamentals. And I will come to tell you that our budget is also facing a strain.”
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