Kenya’s economy slowed sharply on Monday after a nationwide transport strike triggered by soaring fuel prices paralysed movement in Nairobi and raised fears of wider supply-chain disruption across East Africa.
Thousands of commuters were stranded as public transport operators blocked major roads into the capital, forcing many residents to walk long distances to work.
Businesses in several parts of Nairobi remained shut, while many schools switched to online learning because of security concerns and transport disruptions.
Police fired tear gas in parts of Nairobi and other towns as protesters burned tyres and barricaded roads, worsening congestion and disrupting movement across the country.
The strike followed another steep increase in fuel prices announced last week by Kenya’s Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), deepening a cost-of-living crisis that has already strained households and businesses.
