Thousands of young Kenyans are expected to take to the streets of Nairobi on Tuesday to demonstrate against recent increases in petrol and diesel prices.
The protests, largely driven by social media under the hashtag #RejectFuelPrices, are anticipated to draw significant participation from youth expressing frustration over rising fuel costs and the broader cost of living.
Government Spokesperson, Mr. Isaac Mwaura has cautioned organisers about the potential economic impact of the demonstrations, urging them to reconsider and engage authorities through dialogue instead.
Speaking at a press briefing on Monday, he warned that similar protests in 2024 resulted in losses exceeding KSh 6 billion, citing data from the Kenya Revenue Authority.
He acknowledged the constitutional right to peaceful assembly but stressed that large scale protests can disrupt economic activity, place pressure on public resources, and negatively affect businesses and livelihoods.
Mr. Mwaura encouraged organisers to pursue structured engagement with government rather than confrontation to address their concerns.
The planned demonstrations come amid growing public dissatisfaction with fuel price increases and their ripple effects on living costs across the country.
Meanwhile, former Deputy Leader Rigathi Gachagua has voiced support for the youth led protests, stating that young people have the right to organise independently and express their concerns within a democratic framework, although he indicated that the formal opposition will not take part.