The young people of Kenya have re-embarked on the streets in another wave of protests in some sections of the country, due to the rising fuel prices and the ever-increasing cost of living that is still putting pressure on families and transport operators.
The protests, which were mostly led by youths and organised over social media under hashtags that were associated with the grievances about fuel prices, came only days after the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) revised the pump prices to increase them, which prompted widespread popular dissatisfaction.
In Nairobi, crowds of protesting people assembled in various strategic locations, including parts of the Central Business District, shouting slogans that demanded a reduction in the cost of fuel and government action to alleviate economic stress.
Witnesses said that there was a large presence of the police as the authorities came to contain the disturbances to traffic and business operations.
The protests are also indicative of a larger surge of discontent among the Kenyan youths who claim that escalating fuel prices have a direct proportional increase in transport charges and the cost of basic commodities.
Equivalent protests have been organised in recent days under the hashtag #RejectFuelPrices, gaining traction online among Gen Z activists and civic groups.
Security agencies have also been urged by human rights organisations to respect constitutional rights to peaceful assembly and to exercise restraint in handling crowds or using excessive force to control crowds in demonstrations.
However, authorities still insist that any demonstrations must be conducted in accordance with the law, including giving notice beforehand, warning them that disobedience to the law may result in enforcement measures.
Nevertheless, at this juncture, observers note that the frequent protests are indicative of increasingly mounting economic frustrations among the youthful Kenyan population, many of whom complain that the cost of fuel has been rising and is thus becoming a symbol of the underlying economic frustrations plaguing the livelihoods, workplaces, and everyday survival of the young Kenyan people.
By Tuesday evening, protests were still going on in pockets of Nairobi and other urban centres, with organisers calling upon continued pressure on the government to reduce fuel prices and the cost-of-living crisis.
