Tension gripped Machakos County on Monday after anti-fuel-hike protests turned chaotic, leaving one protester with a broken leg as police battled youths in running confrontations across Machakos town.
The injured man was rushed to Machakos Level 5 Hospital after reportedly falling while fleeing from police officers who had lobbed teargas canisters at protesters in the Sokoni area.
The protests paralysed transport in the usually busy town as groups of youths barricaded roads using stones and burning tyres, forcing motorists to keep off major routes leading into the town.
Police officers engaged protesters in fierce running battles for the better part of the day as businesses remained closed amid fears of escalating violence.
Several people were arrested during the demonstrations, while some police officers were also injured after protesters hurled stones at them.
A police officer helps a disabled man during the anti-fuel hike protests in Machakos County on May 18, 2026.The unrest was also felt in other parts of the county, with stranded passengers reporting major transport disruptions.
Some commuters in Matuu said they arrived at bus stops as early as 5am but failed to secure transport as matatus stayed off the roads.
At Kyumbi along the Nairobi–Mombasa highway, youths lit fires on roads as protests spread to different towns within the county.
The transport paralysis also disrupted learning, with most private day schools keeping learners at home. However, some public schools remained operational despite the uncertainty.
Many residents stayed indoors due to lack of public transport, while motorists who attempted to travel faced difficulties navigating blocked roads and protest hotspots.
The demonstrations were part of wider protests witnessed in several parts of the country over rising fuel prices and the high cost of living.
