Tuesday! Kenyans go back to the streets over high fuel prices

The Gen Z is whipping up a frenzied campaign to, once again, dominate the streets, rock the government, make loud pronouncements and exercise their constitutional rights.

On X, Kenya's certified home of mass organizing and efficient rallying, Gen Z have been beating the street drums, promising another round of fiery, impassioned and intensely vibrant riots to pressure the government to lower fuel prices as well as address the skyrocketing cost of living.

The drive, backed by the hashtag #RejectFuelPrices, kicked off over a week ago after the government shot up fuel prices to over Ksh. 200, with Kenyans blaming the Energy Ministry for scandals, poor management and corruption, leading to the steep hike in fuel prices as the Ministry battles a fuel importation scandal which has seen top officials arrested and questioned.

As it all began around June 2024, with a simple hashtag and an angry nation, these new riots have been widely received by the general public, with Kenyans even producing posters announcing the return of street riots, slated for Tuesday, April 21.

To keep the momentum running, popular X personalities, who boast hundreds of thousands of followers, have also jumped onto the brigade, using their accounts to rally the masses, while also coining specific hashtags to ramp up the volume and get the fire started.

With rallying calls like 'Tuesday is Tuesday' and 'I am ready for Tuesday', Kenyans have been gearing up for the much-anticipated date with destiny, promising to put up a show like no other, and to go the extra miles in their attempts to shake up the government and demand political righteousness.

In bold words and with an unflinching resolve, the poster reads: "Total Shutdown Tuesday. Fixing the Nation. Kanyaga shingo. Rage and Courage. Tokea Streets! April 21!"

"Roundi hii si mchezo! Last time ni kama tulitishiwa. This time, we are uprooting this rotten leadership. We have to go the Bangladesh way. Or Nepal. Or Madagascar. We are not leaving the streets this time round. Tuesday is our new Independence Day!" Nyaga Muchina wrote on X.

The drive has also recieved backing from prominent personalities, including lawyer and politician Dr. Ekuru Aukot who wrote, "Wakenya wenzangu, hamjambo? Kama hatutakunywa mafuta kwa bei nafuu, wacha tukunywe tear gas ya bure hapo Tuesday 21, April 2026. Ama vipi? #Rejectthefuelprices!"

Active citizens like Willie Oeba, Ademba Allans, Kibet Bull and more have kept the pressure alive, reminding Kenyans to pour out in their formidable numbers, and reiterating that this new wave of protests should not die down quickly, pleading that Kenyans stay in the streets longer, and push even harder.

"Tuesday is the day that the lord has made! #RejectFuelPrices!" Kibet Bull posted.

Already, the Nairobi Regional Police Commander Issa Mohamud has warned that the planned protests will not be permitted, citing failure by organisers to notify authorities as required by law.

Speaking during a press briefing on Friday, Mohamud said the National Police Service (NPS) had not received any formal communication regarding the demonstrations, despite widespread mobilisation online.

He emphasized that while the police do not oppose the constitutional right to picket, all public gatherings must comply with legal requirements, including submitting a notice at least 14 days in advance.

"Although we are aware of calls for protests next week, no official notification has been filed. This renders the planned demonstrations unlawful, and appropriate action will be taken,” he said.

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has also told off Kenyans looking forward to the planned protests, saying that the Middle East crisis pitting Iran against the United States and Israel is to blame for the disruptions in oil supply.

Speaking in Tharaka Nithi on Saturday, April 18, the deputy president observed that the prices were as a result of forces beyond Kenya's control.

"Going to the streets for protests won't be a solution. Even if Kenyans were to go to the streets to protest, at the end of the day the prices would still be high. Our friends protested in 2023 when maize flour prices were high, and the prices never fell. It only went down after the government put in place policies that it formulated to ensure the prices are regulated. Same with the oil issue. Protests won't reduce the prices of fuel," he said.

Despite the warnings to stay off the streets, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Monday, April 20 called for restraint from security agencies ahead of the planned Gen Z-led demonstrations. 

Speaking during an interview with K24 TV, Gachagua said young people have a constitutional right to peaceful protest and urged government officials to avoid any form of excessive force during the anticipated demonstrations.

The Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader expressed support for the youth-led movement, saying he stands with young Kenyans who choose to take to the streets to express their grievances.

He warned security chiefs, including senior officials in government, against mishandling the protests.

"If Gen Zs decide that they want to take to the streets, they have my blessings. All I want to ask Murkomen, Kindiki, and William Ruto is that if these wonderful people decide to demonstrate against the high cost of fuel, please don’t kill them as you have done in the past,” Gachagua said. 

On April 14, the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) announced new fuel prices to take effect from April 15 to May 14. The prices were later revised on April 15, 2026.

This pushed retail prices to Ksh. 197.60 for super petrol, Ksh. 196.63 for diesel, and Ksh152.78 for kerosene.

EPRA explained that the changes reflected tax components and recent legislative amendments in the petroleum sector.