Nairobi police boss confirms 11 arrests in fuel hike protests
By Emmanuel Rono, April 21, 2026Nairobi Regional Police Commander Issa Mohamud has confirmed that 11 people involved in the protest against rising fuel prices in Nairobi CBD have been arrested.
Speaking at the Nairobi CBD on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, Mohamud said the demonstrators had engaged in what he termed an unlawful assembly, warning that such actions would not be tolerated.
“There is nothing to worry about. So far, we have arrested 11 people, and we will take them to court tomorrow,” Mohamud said.
“Lazima mpende nchi yenu; maandamano ni haramu,” he said, urging Kenyans to express their grievances through legal channels.
He had earlier warned that city protests had not been approved.
He stated that last-minute notices would not be accepted due to logistical constraints. “We operate strictly within the law, guided by the Public Order Act and the Constitution,” he said.
Cause of demos
This comes following demonstrations believed to be part of a youth-led movement that attempted to gather in parts of the city centre, including the busy area near the Kenya National Archives, before being dispersed by anti-riot police.
The police boss has confirmed that 98 per cent of the businesses in the capital are open and going on as usual despite the few individuals on the roads.
“We can see that 98 per cent of the businesses are on and we are witness to that,” Mohamud stated.
Fuel protests
The planned protests were reportedly organised in response to the continued rise in fuel prices, which has had a ripple effect on the cost of basic commodities and transport across the country.
By afternoon, calm had largely returned to the Nairobi CBD, although police presence remained heightened in anticipation of any further attempts to organise protests.
Many Kenyans, particularly young people, have increasingly taken to social media and the streets to express frustration over the economic situation.
Tuesday’s attempted demonstrations follow a series of similar protests in recent months, highlighting growing public pressure on the government to address the cost-of-living crisis.
The arrests and police response have sparked debate, with some supporting the move to maintain order in the city, while others raised concerns over the handling of protesters.