Kenya Fuel-Hike Protests Kill 4 as Iran War Keeps Brent Near $91
Updated
Updated · Responsible Statecraft · May 26
Kenya Fuel-Hike Protests Kill 4 as Iran War Keeps Brent Near $91
6 articles · Updated · Responsible Statecraft · May 26
Four people died in Kenya this week as protests over fuel-price increases turned deadly, underscoring how the Iran war’s energy shock is hitting poorer economies hardest.
Brent crude was around $91 late last week, up sharply from about $60 in early January, while the IEA estimated a roughly 1 billion-barrel Gulf supply shortfall by May 13.
About 250 million barrels have been drawn from global inventories to cushion the shock, but IEA chief Fatih Birol warned those stock releases are unsustainable with Northern Hemisphere summer demand approaching.
Across the Global South, higher fuel, transport and fertilizer costs are worsening inflation, trade deficits and currency stress; Bloomberg said reserve losses reached 8.1% in the Philippines, 5.1% in India and 3.8% in Indonesia.
The strain is spreading beyond Africa: the WFP warned two months ago that 45 million more people could face acute hunger if the war persists, while even the U.S. has seen consumers spend an extra $40 billion on gasoline.
Could the Iran war's economic fallout trigger the worst global food crisis in a century?
Has Iran's control of a vital strait permanently rewritten the rules of economic warfare?
Facing the greatest energy threat in history, will the world choose a rapid green transition or retreat to dirty fuels?
Deadly Protests and Economic Turmoil: Kenya’s Struggle Amid the 2026 Global Oil Price Shock
Overview
Kenya is facing a major crisis after the government raised fuel prices, including a sharp 23.5% increase for diesel, in response to a global oil price surge caused by the ongoing Middle East war and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. This led to widespread protests on May 18th, 2026, with demonstrators blocking roads and paralyzing public transport. The unrest resulted in four deaths and over 30 injuries. Kenya’s heavy reliance on Gulf fuel imports means disruptions quickly raised import costs and domestic prices, severely impacting the economy and daily life across the country.