By: David Shoombe
Transport operators in Kenya are currently protesting against rising fuel prices in the country, arguing that the hike adds difficulty to daily operations.
The nationwide demonstrations came only a week after the nation hosted the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi.
Following the conclusion of the summit, which centred on Africa’s industrial growth with about 30 heads of state and government in attendance, Kenya’s Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) announced price increments as a result of geopolitical tensions. One such increment included a 23.5 percent hike in diesel prices.
The mass protests have reinforced the economic outlooks of the African Union (AU) and the African Development Bank (AfDB), which noted that East African countries were most likely to experience greater economic hardships due to their heavy dependence on external oil supplies, with the exception of South Sudan.
An AFP report published on 19 May 2026 stated that at least four people lost their lives in clashes with security forces.
Global economic shocks in the month of May have not only caused fuel price hikes, but also economic uncertainties in logistics and commodity prices.
The joint AU and AfDB outlook indicated that East Africa largely remains a net importer oil region, with most nations importing more than they produce.
The report shared that with continued conflict in the Middle East, disruptions in fertiliser supply chains could “threaten food security, foment social unrest, and exacerbate humaitarian crises.”
The disruption in Nairobi also follows deadly protests in a fellow East African country, the Comoros, which similarly occurred as a result of fuel hike announcements. Said hikes have since been called off due to the deadly clashes and demonstrations.
Namibian energy researcher Mario Shikoha stated that, “Africa’s energy poverty is a serious concern that needs to be addressed before industrialisation can be achieved.”
Shikoha stated that the situation in the East African region is a reminder that overdependence and complacency can lead to economic collapse and civil unrest.
“Africa should look inward for solutions to its energy challenges and find ways to refine its own petroleum products and generate power without continuing to depend heavily on the global energy system,” he remarked.
