By Fridah Mbuvi, June 13, 2026
Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi has claimed that recent protests sparked by rising fuel prices and transport disruptions were infiltrated by individuals and politicians who sponsored violence and confrontations with security agencies.
Speaking during an interview with NTV Kenya, Wandayi said the demonstrations had initially involved legitimate concerns from stakeholders in the transport sector but were later hijacked by people whose intention was to create chaos.
He argued that genuine matatu operators and transport stakeholders would not engage in acts such as lighting bonfires and clashing with police, insisting that some individuals had been mobilized specifically to burn tyres and disrupt public order.
“The real stakeholders would not spend their time setting roads ablaze. There were people sent to cause disorder and provoke confrontations with law enforcement officers,” he said.
The protests erupted after a sharp increase in fuel prices triggered widespread complaints from motorists and public transport operators, leading to transport disruptions in several parts of the country.
Addressing concerns over the rising cost of fuel, Wandayi explained that local pump prices are influenced by international market trends and are subject to a one-month pricing lag under the country’s fuel pricing formula.
He added that Kenya had managed to avoid severe fuel shortages despite recent geopolitical tensions in the Middle East that disrupted global energy supplies.
However, his remarks have drawn criticism from sections of the transport industry. Some operators have previously accused the Energy Ministry of failing to provide adequate solutions during negotiations aimed at addressing the crisis.
Public reaction has also been mixed, with many Kenyans expressing skepticism on social media and calling on the government to focus on addressing the economic burden caused by high fuel prices instead of attributing the unrest to political interference.
The demonstrations have highlighted growing concerns over the rising cost of living, with transport operators warning that sustained increases in fuel prices could have far-reaching effects on fares and the prices of essential goods across the country.
