The nationwide protests against soaring fuel prices on Monday descended into chaos, leaving four people dead, more than thirty injured, and businesses across the country counting heavy losses.
What began as a demonstration over the unbearable cost of living quickly spiraled into violence, looting, arson, and widespread disruption of transport.
The Ministry of Interior and National Administration, through Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, condemned the unrest, accusing “rogue politicians” of hijacking the protests for political ends.
In a press statement, Murkomen alleged that criminal gangs had been mobilized to target government projects and intimidate pro-government leaders.
He cited the looting of Khetia supermarkets, the burning of a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) office in Wote, and the torching of trucks at the Rironi-Mau Summit project site as evidence of a coordinated scheme.
“We wish to reassure the country that the government will do everything in its power to protect lives and property, and at no time will lawlessness be allowed to take root in any part of our country,” Murkomen declared.
“The full force of the law will be brought to bear on the organizers of today’s violence and wanton destruction of property.”
Yet his remarks have drawn sharp criticism from opposition leaders and civil society, who accuse the government of deflecting responsibility and ignoring the real grievances of ordinary Kenyans.
Former Cabinet Minister Justin Muturi described Murkomen’s press conference as “not only disappointing, but deeply reckless and divisive.”
“At a time when millions of Kenyans are crying out over the unbearable cost of living and the painful rise in fuel prices, the government has chosen the dangerous path of intimidation, political blame games and tribal undertones instead of listening to the people,” Muturi said.
Muturi dismissed Murkomen’s suggestion that protests were politically instigated, insisting that Kenyans were on the streets because life had become intolerable.
“Kenyans are not protesting because they have been ‘influenced.’ They are protesting because life has become unbearable,” he said.
“Every increase in fuel prices pushes food prices higher, cripples businesses, burdens farmers, matatu operators and ordinary families struggling to survive. Reducing genuine public frustration into political propaganda is an insult to the suffering wananchi.”
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) also weighed in, expressing concern over excessive use of force by police during the protests.
In its statement, the Commission noted that fatalities, injuries, arrests, and destruction of property had marred the demonstrations, undermining fundamental rights to security, dignity, property, and freedom of movement.
KNCHR Chairperson Claris Oganga emphasized that the right to strike, protest, and demonstrate is constitutionally protected under Articles 37 and 41 of the Constitution of Kenya.
“We urge the National Police Service to use restraint and ensure lawful, necessary, and proportionate use of force. Citizens must be reminded that the right to life and human dignity is inviolable,” Oganga said.
The Commission extended condolences to families of those killed and wished a speedy recovery to the injured, while urging stakeholders to uphold peace, dialogue, accountability, and respect for the rule of law.
For many Kenyans, however, the debate over political blame and police conduct does little to address the underlying crisis.
Fuel prices have risen sharply due to global market disruptions, but the government’s response has been criticized as inadequate.
Murkomen insisted that the National Treasury and the Ministries of Energy and Transport were engaging stakeholders to explore solutions, but offered no immediate relief.
Muturi countered that the government must urgently return to Parliament to remove punitive fuel levies and consider subsidies.
“Leadership is not scapegoating; it is owning the crisis, fixing the problem, and answering citizens with action, not blame,” he said.
The protests have highlighted the widening gap between government rhetoric and public reality.
While officials frame the unrest as politically motivated, ordinary Kenyans point to skyrocketing food prices, unaffordable transport costs, and dwindling household incomes.
For matatu operators, farmers, and small business owners, the fuel crisis is not an abstract debate but a daily struggle for survival.
Civil society groups warn that continued reliance on intimidation and security crackdowns risks deepening public anger.
Analysts argue that unless the government takes concrete steps to cushion citizens, the protests will persist and could escalate further.