NAIROBI, Kenya – As Kenya braces for planned protests over the rising cost of fuel, Belgut MP Nelson Koech has backed growing public calls for urgent government intervention, warning that frustration among citizens is reaching a breaking point.
Speaking on Citizen TV Day Break on April 20, 2026, Koech said economic pressure on ordinary Kenyans had intensified, blaming “mistakes by certain individuals” within government for worsening the situation.
The United Democratic Alliance(UDA) MP cautioned that without swift and meaningful action, the country could see an escalation in unrest.
“There is a possibility of a demonstration by the public against the government due to the mistakes of certain individuals. Fuel prices must be lowered to cushion the common mwananchi,”he stated.
The concern comes in the wake of a record fuel price hike announced on April 15, with pump prices in Nairobi remaining near historic highs.
Despite a government move to cut VAT on fuel from 16% to 8%, many households continue to feel the ripple effects through higher transport costs and rising prices of basic goods.
Online, momentum has been building around planned “Total Shutdown” protests set for Tuesday, April 21, under the hashtag #RejectFuelPrices. Organizers are demanding further tax reductions and greater transparency in fuel pricing.
However, authorities have taken a firm stance. Nairobi police boss warned that the demonstrations would be considered illegal due to a lack of formal notification, urging organizers to comply with the law.
Despite the warning, indications on social media suggest many Kenyans still intend to take to the streets.
While the government has largely attributed the surge in fuel prices to global supply shocks and geopolitical tensions, including the Iran War, Koech emphasized that explanations alone will not ease the burden on citizens.
