[Statement by the World Anti-imperialist Platform]
IMF Out of Kenya! Ruto Must Leave Power!
All across Kenya, the country is being shaken by a sweeping general strike and popular uprising against unprecedented fuel price hikes. After the Kenyan Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) abruptly announced a brutal increase of 23.5% in diesel prices and 8% in gasoline prices on May 15, transport unions and public transportation workers launched an indefinite nationwide strike on May 18. Following last month’s 24.2% increase, the latest record-breaking hikes have pushed the masses to the brink, driving them into the streets in resistance. The viciously repressive Ruto fascist regime has responded with violent crackdowns involving the military and intelligence agencies. As of May 18, at least four people have been confirmed dead, more than thirty injured, and over three hundred arrested. Kenya’s Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen cynically declared that “It is unfortunate that today’s protests have been hijacked by political actors for political ends,” using the strike as a pretext to intensify repression against progressive activists and communists.
This general strike is the inevitable uprising of a people who have suffered relentless attacks on their livelihoods since Ruto came to power. The regime has systematically implemented the IMF’s neoliberal plunder agenda through the Finance Act 2023 and Finance Bill 2024, reducing the Kenyan masses to debt servitude. The government claims the latest fuel increases are caused by global supply pressures stemming from the war in West Asia, yet while world oil prices rose by only 10.7%, diesel prices in Kenya skyrocketed by 23.5% — exposing who is the real culprit behind Kenya’s economic crisis. Moreover, through the recent “Africa–France Summit,” Ruto struck a collusive 23-billion-euro “joint investment” deal with France and agreed to expand the presence of the French energy giant TotalEnergies in Kenya, selling off the country’s energy sector to Western powers. These actions constitute a historic act of fraud and treachery —draining the blood and sweat of the Kenyan masses in order to deliver the entire country to the Western imperialist masters he serves.
The fascist essence of the Ruto regime, which tramples even the people’s legitimate demands for the right to survival under its military boots, has already been exposed to the entire world. Recently, the Ruto regime illegally detained the international delegation of the World Anti-Imperialist Platform, which was conducting a peaceful protest, holding them for 69 hours, thereby self-confessing before the international community that it is a fascist dictatorial regime that violates both its own constitution and international law. Concurrently, it is desperately perpetrating the kidnapping and arrest of members of the Communist Party Marxist Kenya (CPMK), as well as gunfire and assassination attempts targeting General Secretary Booker Omole. The fact that the Ruto regime—which has faced fierce resistance from the people throughout its entire period in power—is fanatically driven to eliminate the vanguard organization of the Kenyan people and its leadership paradoxically demonstrates how much this fascist regime fears the united power of the Kenyan people. A regime that brandishes the blade of fascism against a people demanding peace and survival can never endure.
Behind the atrocious and murderous atrocities of the fascist regime lies imperialism. US imperialism has already designated Kenya as a “Major Non-NATO Ally,” and French imperialism has finalized its preparations for economic infiltration through this recent summit, following its military subjugation enacted through a “Defense Cooperation Agreement.” Against the fascist atrocities of the Ruto regime—a puppet of the IMF and imperialism—the Kenyan people are risking their lives to cry out, “IMF out of Kenya, Ruto out of the State House!” The tireless anti-neoliberal and anti-government struggle of the Kenyan people vividly demonstrates the validity and vitality of the slogans: “Down with Imperialism! Down with Fascism!” Heightening the banners of “Workers of the world, unite!” and “The people united will never be defeated,” the World Anti-Imperialist Platform will surely overthrow imperialism and fascism alongside the righteous people of Kenya.
May 19, 2026
World Anti-imperialist Platform
