Several private schools across Nairobi remained closed on Monday following demonstrations sparked by rising fuel prices and the disruption of transport services across the city.
Transport Paralysed as Protests Intensify
The demonstrations caused major disruptions in transportation, making it difficult for learners, teachers, and parents to move around the city.
Protesters barricaded several roads using stones and bonfires as they took to the streets to protest the sharp increase in fuel prices announced by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA).
Schools Send Parents Safety Alerts
Many parents said they received text messages from their children’s schools advising them not to send learners to school due to security concerns and uncertainty over transport operations.
Some schools reportedly opted to suspend classes entirely for the day as tensions escalated in different parts of the city.
Parents Forced to Pick Up Learners
Parents who had already dropped their children at school Monday morning were later forced to return and pick them up following fears over the safety of learners amid the unrest.
Several expressed concern over the wellbeing of children caught up in the demonstrations and transport chaos.
Fuel Hike Sparks Nationwide Anger
The protests come days after EPRA announced a significant increase in fuel prices, with Super Petrol rising by KSh16.65 per litre and Diesel increasing by KSh46.29 per litre.
The price hikes have triggered widespread public outrage, with transport operators and wananchi warning that the increased fuel costs will further raise the cost of living.
