Kenyan singer Bahati has joined a growing list of public figures calling for calm following the violent nationwide protests that rocked the country on Monday, May 18, 2026, over a sharp increase in fuel prices.
In a statement shared via his Instagram Stories on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, Bahati urged Kenyans to remain peaceful despite the tension and frustration that has gripped the nation.
“Brothers & Sisters, maintain peace and stay safe wherever you are. God will see us through,” Bahati stated.
The protests began on Monday, May 18, after matatu operators went on strike and demonstrations erupted in several towns over the latest fuel price adjustment announced by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) on May 14, 2026.
EPRA raised fuel prices for the May–June pricing cycle, with Super Petrol now retailing at Ksh214.25 per litre, Diesel at Ksh242.92 per litre, and Kerosene at Ksh152.78 per litre in Nairobi. The increase took effect from midnight after the announcement, immediately pushing up transport costs across the country.
Since Monday, major roads in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu and other urban centres have experienced disruptions as transport operators withdrew services and protesters took to the streets. Bonfires, blocked highways and running confrontations with police have been reported in several areas, leaving commuters stranded and businesses disrupted.
“Four people were killed, and more than 30 others were injured during the protests in Nairobi and other parts of the country,” Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said while addressing the nation following the escalation.
The unrest has been driven largely by anger over the rising cost of living, with fuel prices seen as a key trigger because they directly affect transport fares, food prices and everyday expenses. The diesel increase in particular has hit public transport and logistics hard, deepening frustration among Kenyans already under economic pressure.
