At least two people have been killed during the protests and matatu strike opposing the new high fuel prices in the country.
Police said the deaths happened in Gachie, Kiambu County and Nakuru Town. Several others were also injured in the chaos.
Witnesses claimed the Kiambu victim was shot and killed. The one from Nakuru was hit by a speeding vehicle in running battles.
Police said the toll could rise to four after two others were shot and seriously wounded in Gachie.
The police opened fire on a group of protesters who had blocked the road and were harassing other road users.
Property of unknown value was also destroyed in the chaos. Others were looted in Naivasha and Ruiru, police said.
Anti-riot police were dispatched on Monday afternoon to battle with the protesters who had blocked roads.
Thousands of Kenyan commuters were stranded and businesses paralysed as public transport operators went on a nationwide strike to protest against recent increases in the cost of fuel.
Key roads in Nairobi remained largely empty, forcing some commuters to walk to work. Businesses in parts of Nairobi also remained shut and schools also requested learners to stay at home.
Other parts of the country were also affected by the transport crisis.
Protesters have been barricading roads and lighting fires on the roads as the protests continue.
The strike comes days after the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) announced a hike in petroleum prices. EPRA on Thursday raised prices to a high of Sh242 a litre for diesel and petrol to Sh214.
Kenya, like many other African countries, relies heavily on fuel imports from the Gulf, a supply route disrupted by the US-Israel conflict with Iran that began on 28 February.
Even though a ceasefire has been declared, fuel prices have remained high as the Strait of Hormuz, where a fifth of the world’s oil passes through, is still blocked.
In parts of Nairobi and elsewhere across the country, police clashed with protesters, using tear gas to disperse them. This came amid reports of demonstrators stopping and harassing some motorists.
Ahead of the strike, the police assured Kenyans that security measures would be in place. Furthermore, authorities had warned against any disruptive conduct.
The association representing transport operators had earlier urged all vehicle users to stay off the roads as part of a coordinated shutdown. These included private motorists, public transport buses locally known as matatus and truckers.
“This action is not only for transport operators, but for every Kenyan citizen,” the Transport Sector Alliance (TSA) said in a statement.
The alliance accused the government of not doing enough to shield Kenyans from the rising fuel prices, amid a broader high cost of living crisis.
It has also called for the reduction of petrol and diesel prices to approximately Ksh152 per litre, with the long-term target being Ksh140-150 per litre.
Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi also said the strike is completely uncalled for.
“Why are we trying to solve a global problem using domestic means? We have not caused US-Iran war.”
“Matatu strike uncalled for. Fuel prices would be higher without government interventions. This is not a time to make emotional decisions,” he said.
The high cost of fuel is being blamed for increases in the price of food and other basic goods and services, with public service vehicles already raising commuter fares.
Last month, the government cut VAT on fuel from 16% to 8% until July. However, demands for further action persists.
