A black Mazda burned in the middle of a busy road in Githurai on Monday as protests over rising fuel prices spread across Nairobi and nearby towns.
The burning vehicle became one of the clearest signs yet of the tension gripping the capital during a nationwide transport strike that left thousands stranded, major roads blocked and businesses disrupted.
Witnesses watched as flames consumed the car while protesters and motorists scrambled for safety along the crowded Thika Road corridor. Police officers were deployed heavily in the area, where confrontations between demonstrators and security forces continued through the day.
Authorities have not confirmed how the fire started. It remains unclear whether the vehicle had been deliberately torched, abandoned during the unrest or caught in the chaos unfolding around the demonstrations.
The protests were sparked by anger over recent fuel price increases, which transport operators say have made it nearly impossible to run profitable businesses. Across Nairobi, commuters struggled to reach work as matatus disappeared from many routes and fares doubled in some areas where vehicles were still operating.
In Githurai, tensions spilled onto the streets early in the day. Protesters erected barricades and disrupted traffic, while similar scenes were reported along the Ruiru Bypass, the Nairobi-Namanga Highway and sections of Thika Road.
By afternoon, traffic in several parts of the city had ground to a halt.
The National Police Service had earlier sought to reassure the public, saying security measures had been stepped up.
“The National Police Service wishes to assure Kenyans of their security as they go about their duties,” the police said in a statement issued before the demonstrations intensified.
“Security measures have been enhanced, and any disruptive conduct will be dealt with firmly and in accordance with the law.”
Despite that assurance, the unrest appeared to grow as the day wore on. What began as a strike led by transport sector players increasingly reflected wider frustrations over the rising cost of living, with some demonstrators accusing the government of failing to shield ordinary Kenyans from mounting economic pressure.
Transport operators have blamed both the government and the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority for the latest fuel price increases. They argue that higher fuel costs are pushing up fares and the price of basic goods, leaving both businesses and households under strain.
For many commuters, Monday’s disruption was deeply personal. Some walked long distances after failing to find transport, while others waited for hours at bus stages hoping fares would drop.
By press time, no injuries or deaths linked to the burning vehicle had been officially reported. Police said they were continuing to monitor the situation as traffic remained severely affected in several parts of Nairobi.
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