Three people have died following a tragic boda boda crash during ongoing anti-fuel price protests in Kimbo, Ruiru, as nationwide demonstrations descended into chaos on Monday, May 18.
Two others were injured in the collision, which reportedly occurred as motorcycle riders attempted to flee from protesters who had allegedly erected makeshift toll barriers along the road.
Witnesses told local media that the riders were speeding through the area amid panic and confusion when the motorcycles collided, leaving three people dead on the spot.
The fatal incident unfolded as transport paralysis spread across several parts of the country under the growing #RejectFuelPrices demonstrations, triggered by a recent hike in petrol and diesel prices announced by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority.
Images and videos circulating online showed protesters occupying sections of the Thika Superhighway, with barricades mounted on roads and motorists stranded for hours as demonstrations intensified.
Police officers later arrived at the Ruiru scene and removed the bodies as security agencies moved to restore order and disperse crowds.
Authorities have yet to release the identities of the deceased or provide an official statement regarding the circumstances surrounding the deadly crash. The condition of the two injured victims also remains unclear.
The protests, largely led by transport operators and commercial drivers, have disrupted movement in multiple towns and highways across the country, with demonstrators accusing the government of pushing ordinary Kenyans into deeper economic hardship through rising fuel costs.
Several incidents of violence were also reported during the demonstrations. In some areas, vehicles were torched while clashes erupted between protesters and police officers deployed to reopen blocked roads and maintain order.
There were also reports of protesters sustaining gunshot wounds in Thika during confrontations with security personnel, although officials had not confirmed the number of casualties by Monday evening.
Meanwhile, in Nakuru, unconfirmed reports indicated that another protester may have died after allegedly being run over by a vehicle during the unrest.
The deadly Ruiru collision now adds to growing concerns over escalating violence and insecurity surrounding the nationwide fuel protests, which continue to cripple transport services and commuter movement across Kenya.
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