Seven activists arrested during protests against high fuel prices in Nairobi have been released on a cash bail of KSh 1,000 each after denying charges of obstructing the free flow of traffic.
The seven appeared in court over alleged incidents along City Hall Way and Kimathi Street on Monday, October 26, 2026, when demonstrators took to Nairobi’s Central Business District to protest rising fuel prices and the cost of living.
The accused persons face charges under Section 58(c) of the Kenya Roads Act, Chapter 408 of the Laws of Kenya, which the prosecution has invoked in alleging that they obstructed the movement of motor vehicles.
According to the prosecution, Nyanjom Otieno Collins, Shem Mboyi, Willie Maina and Collins Otieno Ochieng jointly obstructed the movement of motor vehicles along City Hall Way at around noon on October 26.
In a separate charge, Elisha Ochieng Alam, Fredrick Odhiambo and Julius Kamau Kimani are accused of obstructing traffic along Kimathi Street on the same day.
The prosecution alleges that the seven stood or assembled on sections of the respective roads alongside other individuals who have not been brought before the court, disrupting the free flow of traffic.
Each of the accused persons was released on KSh 1,000 cash bail after pleading not guilty to the charges. The allegations remain unproven and will be subject to the court process.
The arrests followed demonstrations organised in Nairobi against rising petroleum prices and their impact on households and businesses. The Coalition of Human Rights Defenders had notified police of plans for a peaceful march on October 26, with Kimathi Street designated as the assembly point and State House as the intended destination.
The organisers had estimated that between 500 and 900 people would participate in the demonstration and pledged to maintain order while respecting the rights of other members of the public.
The protests came after the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority announced new fuel prices for the October-November pricing cycle, pushing the price of petrol in Nairobi to KSh 226.96 per litre, diesel to KSh 227.76 and kerosene to KSh 219.87.
The increases have intensified public concern over transport costs, household expenses and the cost of doing business, prompting activists to call for government intervention.
The court proceedings against the seven activists follow their arrest during the demonstrations, with the case now subject to further court directions.
