Police Boss Breaks Silence on Nairobi Fuel Protests

Speaking to the media, Mohamud said police had not been formally notified about the planned protests, despite a prior assurance issued by the National Police Service on May 17 indicating that adequate measures had been put in place to ensure public safety.

He noted that several parts of Nairobi experienced major disruptions, including road blockages allegedly caused by stones, rocks, and boulders placed on key transport routes.

 According to him, these actions interfered with public order and infringed on the rights of other road users, bringing movement in some areas of the city to a standstill.

Mohamud further stated that the nature of the disruptions went beyond lawful protest and amounted to unlawful interference with critical infrastructure and essential services.

He also raised concerns over the impact of the unrest on the city’s transport and business operations, warning that continued disruptions could have wider economic consequences.

The police commander revealed that security agencies had received intelligence reports indicating the possible infiltration of the protests by hired individuals suspected of intending to incite violence. He alleged that some of the individuals were believed to be armed and aimed at exploiting the situation to engage in criminal activities.

According to him, the suspected plans included looting supermarkets and shops, destruction of public and private property, and incitement of violence among crowds.

Meanwhile, transport across major highways in and around Nairobi was severely affected following the matatu operators’ strike, which has been linked to rising fuel prices and increased operating costs.

Commuters were stranded early in the morning as public service vehicles stayed off the roads, disrupting key routes including Thika Road, Mombasa Road, and the Nairobi–Nakuru highway.

Many passengers were forced to walk long distances or rely on alternative transport such as boda bodas, which were in short supply and charged higher fares due to increased demand.

Transport operators say the strike is a protest against high fuel prices and what they describe as unsustainable operational costs affecting the sector.