Fuel price demonstration in Nakuru turned from peaceful picketing to a deadly affair as one person died in Nakuru and several hospitalized with injuries.

The man was run over by a Police Landcruiser around Gilanis area killing him instantly.

Protesters marched along Kenyatta Avenue carrying him around before the police lobbed teargas to disperse them and taking away the body.

Nakuru County level five hospital Medical Superintendent Dr James Waweru said five injured protestors were admitted to the hospital.

“Five males with gunshot wounds are receiving treatment at the Nakuru County Teaching and Referral Hospital. Three patients were received from Kiratina area, one from Murogi, and one from Kolen area,” said Dr Waweru.

"He revealed that two of the five patients are scheduled for surgery.

The day began with clear roads with no matatu’s on the road forcing most residents to walk to town. An alternative to this was using motorbikes to town with most riders taking advantage of these demons to set high transport fees to town.

A section of Nakuru - Nairoibi highway remains clear during the fuel price demos on May 18,2026.

Photo credit: PURITY KINUTHIA/MTAA WANGU

In the afternoon things took a different turn after police were forced to engage the demonstrators in running battles after they lit bonfires on the roads barricading roads.

This temporarily paralyzed transport along the Nakuru – Nairobi highways for personal cars on the road. The demos further turned into extortion avenue as goons who barricaded the roads and demanded pay from motorists in order pass.

Mololine offices among the many matatu sacco offices that remained closed in Nakuru during the fuel price demos on May 18,2026

Photo credit: PURITY KINUTHIA/MTAA WANGU

Police were forced to lob teargas to disperse protestors.

Meanwhile, motorists plying the Nakuru - Nyahuru highways were highly disadvantaged after youths blocked the road asking them to pay to use the route.

The barricade started from Whitehouse area stretching all the way to Maili Sita. Other areas that were also affected by the demos were Shabab and Nakuru CBD.

Mashambani stage remains clear of any Matatu's as Nakuru Saccos join the nationwide demon on increase of fuel Prices on May 18,2026.

Photo credit: PURITY KINUTHIA/MTAA WANGU

In an interview Bunge la Mwananchi president Robert Makoha regretted that Kenyans have to take to the streets for its government to hear them.

“The cost of living is already high. To see fuel price hike two months in a row is not helping the mwananchi navigate these tough economic times. We plead with the government to finds ways in which they can alleviate this burden from its Citizen,” he notes

Makoha notes that businesses have also experienced high losses as most of them shut down for the day for fear of being looted. He adds it's not just the Matatu sector that was hurt today, the strike affected the economy in general.

Bunge la Mwananchi president Robert Makoha speaks on the fuel price increase and how it is impacting the economy

Photo credit: PURITY KINUTHIA/MTAA WANGU

“Those people who make their way to the market to buy vegetables and resell in Kibanda’s did not go to the market as usual. Shops have been closed, small scale hotels that target people who are travelling and the matatu sector have suffered loss. Every industry has been impacted directly or indirectly,” he notes.

Matatu stages were also clear in the stages with most of Sacco's offices remaining closed.

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One person Killed, five injured as Nakuru fuel protests turn deadly

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