Nairobi Ride-Hailing Drivers Halt Services Amid Fuel Strike

Ride-hailing drivers in Nairobi have abandoned their apps in response to a fuel strike that has severely disrupted transport in the city. The strike has affected multiple sectors, including public transport, long-distance trucking, motorcycling, and school buses.

The Transport Sector Alliance described this as one of the largest coordinated industrial actions in Kenya's history, leaving thousands of commuters unable to reach work and schools closed. The drivers cited safety concerns on certain routes amid fears of unrest due to fuel shortages.

The strike was triggered by the Kenya's Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) raising fuel prices, with petrol increasing to KSh 214.25 per liter and diesel to KSh 242.92 per liter. The Transport Sector Alliance emphasized that Kenya should not continue to pay the highest fuel prices in the region, especially compared to Ethiopia, which maintains significantly lower pump prices despite being landlocked.

The situation has reignited concerns over fuel supply in the country.