Several activists staged protests in Nairobi CBD on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, over the rising fuel prices, calling on the government to address the cost of fuel.
Some of the activists were seen carrying vuvuzelas as they moved around the city centre. Others wore printed shirts with messages reading “reject high fuel prices” as they made their concerns known.
Some activists also carried empty jerry cans while shouting to amplify their message. The protesters used the items to draw attention to the impact of high fuel prices. They called on the government to listen to their concerns as they demanded action over the rising cost of fuel.
One of the activists said the group had gathered in the CBD to express their frustrations and ask the government to listen to them.
“We are not here to celebrate; we are here to cry to this government, at least hear our cries. Because those heroes they are celebrating, the likes of Raila Odinga, these are the people who were; they can’t be silent when the regime is oppressing the citizens,” one of the activists said.
This comes after the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) increased fuel prices for the October-November 2026 cycle, raising the cost of petrol, diesel and kerosene for motorists and households.
In its latest review announced on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, the regulator raised the price of Super Petrol by Ksh12.93 per litre, diesel by Ksh9.90 and kerosene by Ksh28.49.
Super Petrol now retails at a maximum of Ksh226.96 per litre, up from Ksh214.03 in the previous cycle. Diesel costs Ksh227.76 per litre, compared with Ksh217.86 previously.
Kerosene prices rose to Ksh219.87 per litre from Ksh191.38, marking the largest increase among the three products.
Activists call for action over fuel prices
The protesters said the high cost of fuel was affecting ordinary citizens and making life difficult for many people. They said their presence in the CBD was meant to send a message to the government. The activists also called for action to address the concerns raised during the protests.
Another activist called on those in government to resign if they were unable to lower fuel prices. The activist said many Kenyans were struggling and could no longer remain silent over the situation.
“Tumekuja hapa kuwaambia waziazi, kama wameshindwa kushukisha bei ya mafuta, basi wa resign watoke kwa hizo viti. Kwa sababu saa hii kila mwananchi analia, wananchi wanahangaika, hawana kitu kwa mfuko, hawana pesa, hatutaogopa tena, hatutawapigia magoti tena,” an activist said.
The activists continued to make their message heard as they protested in the city centre. Their placards and printed shirts carried messages rejecting high fuel prices, while the empty jerry cans showed the issue they were raising. They also used vuvuzelas and chants to amplify their calls.
The protests came as activists called on the government to hear the concerns of citizens affected by high fuel prices. The protesters said they wanted those in government to respond to their demands and address the difficulties facing Kenyans.
The protests took place on Mashujaa Day, a day when Kenyans celebrate heroes who have contributed to the country. The activists used the occasion to raise their concerns over fuel prices and call for action from the government.
