Four reported killed, 30 injured, in Kenyan fuel price protests

"We lost four Kenyans in today's violence, which also saw more than 30 people injured, Murkomen said during a televised press conference. At least 348 people were arrested on Monday, according to Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen, as people gathered in the streets to show support for a nationwide public transport strike. The streets leading towards Nairobi's centre were deserted on Monday after police fired tear gas at protesters, who had thrown stones and had blocked major roads with burning tyres, Al Jazeera's Malcom Webb reported from the Kenyan capital."

"Strikes have affected major cities, including the capital and the southern city of Mombasa, where many people rely on bus services. Commuters in several towns were forced to walk long distances to work and school. This demonstration has brought the city to a near standstill, Webb said. It started with the private bus operators, which provide most transport for hundreds of thousands of people commuting every day."

"Transport unions have demanded that the government reverse a recent fuel price increase. Kenya hiked retail fuel prices by as much as 23.5 percent last week, following a 24.2 percent rise last month. Higher fuel costs are now pushing prices of food and other basic goods, straining the resources of many already struggling in the country's economy."

"The Ministry of Energy and Petroleum defended the fuel hike, saying that the decision was taken against the backdrop of sustained volatility in global oil markets due to the war in Iran. One of many African countries dependent on fuel imports from the Gulf, Kenya has been heavily af"

Nationwide protests in Kenya followed sharply rising fuel prices, leading to violence, deaths, and injuries. At least four people were killed and more than 30 were injured as protesters gathered in support of a nationwide public transport strike. Police fired tear gas at demonstrators who threw stones and blocked major roads with burning tyres, leaving streets toward Nairobi’s centre deserted. Hundreds of arrests were reported, including 348 arrests on Monday. Transport disruptions affected major cities such as Nairobi and Mombasa, forcing commuters to walk long distances. Transport unions demanded reversal of recent fuel price increases. The Ministry of Energy and Petroleum defended the hikes, citing volatility in global oil markets linked to the war in Iran, while higher fuel costs increased pressure on food and basic goods amid economic strain.

Read at www.aljazeera.com