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The morning rush in Nairobi ground to a halt as hundreds of ride-hailing drivers and motorcycle riders marched from a city-center bridge toward the capital’s commercial districts, protesting what they described as exploitative fares and shrinking earnings in the face of rising fuel prices.
Traffic along major roads leading into Westlands and Kilimani slowed to a crawl as demonstrators occupied sections of the roads, waving placards and chanting against transport platform policies they say no longer reflect the economic realities facing workers.
The protest was largely directed at ride-hailing company Bolt, whose drivers accuse the platform of maintaining high commission rates while lowering fares to compete aggressively in the market.
Riders argued that the company’s 20 percent commission structure has become increasingly unsustainable, especially after the latest fuel price adjustments announced by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA).
Under the revised fuel prices that took effect on May 15, petrol climbed to 214 shillings per liter while diesel rose sharply to 243 shillings. The increases have significantly raised operational costs for drivers who depend on daily earnings to survive.
Many of them said they are now spending nearly half their income on fuel alone, leaving little for vehicle maintenance, loan repayments, or household expenses.
The demonstrations exposed growing frustration within Kenya’s urban transport sector, where drivers say they are trapped between rising living costs and platform-driven pricing models that prioritize customer growth over worker welfare.
Protesters claimed that despite repeated appeals, little has been done to address their concerns in a meaningful way.
Bolt recently announced a six percent fare increase nationwide, presenting the adjustment as a response to mounting pressure from drivers and changing market conditions. However, riders dismissed the increment as inadequate, saying it fails to match the rapid rise in fuel and maintenance costs.
While fares rose slightly, the company retained its existing commission rates, further angering drivers who expected a reduction in deductions.
Many protesters blamed the global energy crisis linked to instability in the Middle East for worsening the situation. International oil supply disruptions have pushed fuel costs upward across many countries, with Kenya experiencing the effects through higher import expenses and inflationary pressure.
Drivers warned that unless transport pricing structures are reviewed urgently, many operators could abandon the sector entirely.
The unrest in Nairobi coincided with separate transport protests unfolding across parts of Central Kenya, where tensions over fuel prices and operational costs also boiled over.
In towns such as Embu, Chuka, Nyahururu, and along sections of Thika Road, groups of transport operators staged demonstrations that included road blockades, burning tires, and temporary shutdowns of public transport services.
Passengers in several towns were left stranded for hours as operators parked vehicles and suspended services over security concerns. Local transport leaders said they feared damage to vehicles and possible confrontations if normal operations continued during the protests.
The disruption affected commuters heading to work, schools, and regional markets, further highlighting the growing pressure on Kenya’s transport-dependent economy.
The protests came despite a recent agreement between some transport stakeholders and government officials aimed at easing tensions within the sector. Drivers involved in the demonstrations argued that the agreement had produced little practical relief and accused authorities of failing to implement promised interventions quickly enough.
Economic analysts warn that the continued rise in fuel prices could trigger broader inflationary effects across the country. Public transport costs are expected to increase, potentially raising food distribution expenses and the prices of essential goods.
Small businesses that rely heavily on transport networks may also face additional strain if instability within the sector persists.
Attention is now turning to EPRA’s next fuel price review scheduled for June 14. Drivers and transport operators say the upcoming announcement could determine whether protests escalate further or whether meaningful negotiations emerge between regulators, transport companies, and workers.
For many riders, however, the issue extends beyond fuel prices alone. They argue that the current ride-hailing business model leaves drivers carrying most of the financial burden while companies continue expanding their customer base through discounted fares.
Unless commission rates are revised and earnings stabilized, protesters insist that demonstrations may continue in the coming weeks as economic pressure intensifies across the country.