A petrol station pump attendant prepares to fuel a car. /FILE

Activists under the Coalition of Human Rights Defenders are expected to stage peaceful street protests in Nairobi on Monday over soaring fuel prices.

The planned demonstrations come days after the initial fuel protests on Tuesday, October 20, when the country marked Mashujaa Day.

The protests follow the latest fuel price increases announced by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (Epra) for the October-November pricing cycle, which pushed the cost of petrol in Nairobi to Sh226.96 per litre, diesel to Sh227.76 and kerosene to Sh219.87.

The increases have drawn opposition from motorists, public transport operators and ride-hailing drivers, amid concerns over the impact of higher fuel costs on transport fares and the general cost of living.

Epra attributed the latest increases to soaring international petroleum prices and escalating conflict in the Middle East.

Director general Edward Kinyua said September 2026 recorded the highest fuel import costs since the Middle East crisis began.

The average landing cost of super petrol rose by 11.81 per cent, while diesel increased by 11.2 per cent and kerosene by 9.41 per cent per cubic metre, he said.

Consequently, Epra increased the price of super petrol in Nairobi by Sh12.93 per litre and diesel by Sh9.90. Kerosene recorded the steepest increase, rising by Sh28.49 per litre.

In a letter to Police Service Headquarters dated October 22, the activists notified the authorities of their intention to march through Nairobi's Central Business District, starting at Kimathi Street and proceeding towards State House.

“We, the Coalition of Human Rights Defenders, hereby notify your office of our intention to hold a peaceful demonstration on Monday, 26 October 2026, to protest the high cost of fuel and its impact on the cost of living. The assembly point will be Kimathi Street, with the intended destination being State House, Nairobi,” the letter reads in part.

The organisers estimated that between 500 and 900 people would take part in the march, assuring security agencies that the demonstration would remain peaceful and respect the rights of other members of the public.

However, the Matatu Owners Association has distanced itself from the planned protests, saying public transport operators would continue with normal operations despite the rising cost of diesel.

During the Mashujaa Day protests, several people were arrested, including Citizen TV journalist Ode Francis, who was temporarily detained by police while covering the demonstrations.

The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (Ipoa) said it had launched investigations into the circumstances surrounding Ode's arrest and detention along Kimathi Street.

Investigators are seeking to establish why officers allegedly ignored his repeated claims that he was a registered journalist who had identified himself to them.

They will also examine allegations that he was assaulted and his clothes torn, as well as reports that officers refused to record his complaint in the Occurrence Book (OB).

The planned demonstrations are expected to renew public scrutiny of the government's response to rising fuel prices and the conduct of police officers during public protests.