Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has confirmed that four people have been killed following the Matatu strike protest in the country.
Addressing the media at Harambee House on Monday, May 18, 2026, Murkomen said the demonstrations, which began as public opposition to the fuel price increase, were hijacked by criminal and political actors who turned them into scenes of destruction and unrest in several parts of the country
“It is unfortunate that we lost 4 Kenyans in today’s violence, which also saw more than 30 people injured. It is very regrettable that there are politicians in this country who measure the success of opposition to the government by the number of innocent lives lost,” said Murkomen.
Murkomen also pointed to what he described as a troubling trend of political incitement, alleging that some leaders were encouraging unrest and benefiting from the resulting instability.
Murkomen stated that security agencies had recorded multiple incidents of violence across various regions, resulting in fatalities and more than injuries.
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Protests turn Violent amid Fuel Price Hikes
CS Murkomen acknowledged that fuel prices had increased, attributing the rise to global geopolitical factors affecting energy markets.
However, the government has maintained that violence and destruction would not resolve the issue and would instead worsen economic conditions for citizens and businesses.
Authorities noted that disruptions to transport networks and forced closure of businesses had a direct negative impact on livelihoods and supply chains.
To address the fuel crisis, Murkomen revealed that engagements are ongoing among the National Treasury, the Ministry of Energy, and the Ministry of Transport, along with key stakeholders, to explore long-term solutions.
“The Government, led by the National Treasury and the Ministries of Energy and Transport, are taking steps to engage with transport stakeholders to explore ways of addressing price increases, and we are confident the talks will bear fruit,” read the statement in part.
Allegations of Political Mobilization and Targeted Attacks
The government has alleged that criminal elements had been mobilized and deployed by rogue political actors to target government projects, property, and individuals aligned with the administration.
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It cited incidents including the looting of Khetias supermarkets owned by a pro-government Member of Parliament, the burning of a UDA office in Wote, Makueni County, and the torching of two trucks at the Rironi–Mau Summit flagship project site.
Murkomen described the incidents as coordinated, suggesting a broader attempt to spread fear and intimidate government supporters.
“We are, however, concerned that criminal elements have been mobilized and deployed by rogue politicians to target government projects, property, and pro-government leaders. The looting of Khetia supermarkets owned by a pro-government Member of Parliament, the burning down of a UDA office in Wote in Makueni 1 County, and the torching of two trucks at the site of the Rironi-Mau Summit flagship project are not a coincidence but a calculated move to spread fear and intimidate government supporters,” the statement read.
