Kenyan social media personality and self-styled forex trader Raymond Omosa, popularly known as Kenyan Prince, has found himself at the centre of national criticism after a viral video showed him lighting a fire on a public road as part of his birthday celebrations.
What began as an attempt to create dramatic content quickly escalated into a public-safety debate and prompted an official warning from the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA).
The now-circulating clip captures Kenyan Prince parked on one side of a tarmac road, kneeling as he writes the number “23” on the surface using what appears to be a flammable substance.
Moments later, he lights the marking on fire, and the ignition produces a bright flash across the road. The camera then pans to him, celebrating the act, seemingly pleased with the stunt.
The video triggered immediate condemnation from road-safety advocates, transport officials, and a wide section of Kenyan netizens concerned about the growing trend of influencers risking public safety for attention.
KURA was among the first institutions to publicly respond, issuing a stern statement calling the act “unacceptable and dangerous.”
The authority warned that such behaviour not only puts road users at risk but also damages public infrastructure that is expensive to maintain.
KURA added that the incident should serve as a warning to Kenyans who imitate online trends without considering their implications.
In their communication, the agency stressed that public roads are critical national assets meant to support safe transportation, not serve as props for social-media stunts.
They noted that deliberately setting fires on tarmac can weaken the road surface, compromise durability, and accelerate the need for costly repairs — all funded by Kenyan taxpayers.
“Why are people normalizing destruction of public infrastructure for content?” one user commented under a repost of the video. Another wrote: “These roads do not belong to you. We all pay for them. If anyone can just burn tarmac for fun, where do we draw the line?”
Some went as far as urging authorities to take legal action or impose fines to deter similar behaviour in the future.
A few reminded followers that even acts that appear harmless online can have real-world consequences — especially when they involve fire, flammable substances, or public roads frequented by motorists.
The criticism wasn’t limited to the general public. Several public-safety advocates weighed in, cautioning that flames on a road can cause accidents, especially at night or in areas with limited visibility.
A driver who encounters sudden fire on the road may panic, swerve, or brake abruptly, potentially leading to collisions. Moreover, lighting a fire near vehicles introduces the risk of fuel ignition or injury to bystanders.
Kenyan Prince, who has been previously associated with flashy online displays and controversies, is no stranger to public scrutiny.
His persona — built around wealth, luxury, and bravado — has often drawn mixed reactions.
To some fans, he is charismatic and entertaining; to critics, he represents the excess and recklessness encouraged by the pursuit of viral fame.
Following the backlash, the influencer reportedly defended himself in later posts, suggesting that the incident had been blown out of proportion. But many observers argued that this response missed the point.