At least 16 people have been killed and over 400 injured across Kenya during nationwide anti-government protests held to commemorate the deadly 2024 anti-tax demonstrations. The majority of the casualties were reported in the capital, Nairobi, with numerous injuries attributed to police gunfire and excessive use of force.
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), a state-funded body, confirmed eight deaths and reported over 400 casualties, including demonstrators, police officers, and journalists. Amnesty International Kenya placed the death toll at 16, saying most were shot by police, a claim verified jointly with the KNCHR.
Tear gas, rubber bullets, and live rounds were used in clashes between protesters and police in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, Kikuyu, and other towns. Protesters — many of them youth-led — chanted “Ruto Must Go” and marched toward State House, the official residence of President William Ruto, which had been heavily barricaded with razor wire.
Businesses and schools in Nairobi’s central business district remained closed, and journalists reported seeing streets turned into battlegrounds, with fires, barricades, and heavy police presence.
Calls for Justice and End to Police Brutality
Wednesday’s protests were not only about commemorating the 2024 tax protests, which left at least 60 people dead and dozens missing, but also about ongoing grievances. Chief among them is rampant police brutality, economic hardship, corruption, and the controversial death of blogger and teacher Albert Ojwang earlier this month while in police custody.
Ojwang, 31, was arrested for allegedly criticising a senior police officer. He later died under suspicious circumstances, with signs of torture. Six officers, including three policemen, have since been charged with his murder.
“We are fighting for the rights of our fellow youths and Kenyans and the people who died since June 25,” said protester Lumumba Harmony. “We want justice.”
Another demonstrator, Stephanie Marie, said she was protesting because “it could be my brother, it could be my cousin … we just want leaders to listen to the people.”
Government Clamps Down on Media, Protesters
As protests escalated, the government moved to silence media coverage. The Communications Authority of Kenya ordered broadcasters NTV and KTN off air for defying a ban on live coverage. However, a High Court ruling in Nairobi overturned the directive, restoring broadcast signals and defending press freedom.
Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen condemned the protests, calling them “terrorism disguised as dissent” and accused demonstrators of attempting to force regime change. He reported that nine police stations were attacked, dozens of vehicles destroyed, and five guns stolen during the chaos.
Security Agencies Accused of Excessive Force
Kenya’s Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has opened an investigation into the use of force by security agencies. The UN Human Rights Office expressed concern over the police response, urging the Kenyan government to uphold international human rights standards and ensure accountability.
“We are closely monitoring the situation,” said UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric, adding that the loss of life is deeply saddening.
Kenyatta National Hospital in Nairobi confirmed that it had admitted at least 107 injured people, the majority suffering from gunshot wounds. A Kenya Power security guard was also reportedly shot dead while on patrol during the protests.
A Nation Still Mourning and Demanding Change
Last year’s protests were triggered by a controversial Finance Bill proposing steep tax increases. The public outrage forced President Ruto to withdraw the bill after parliament was stormed and partially set ablaze by protesters.
This year’s demonstrations mirrored the 2024 unrest, as protesters once again called for an end to government impunity, economic mismanagement, and police violence.
Despite President Ruto’s appeal for peace during a burial ceremony in Kilifi, many Kenyans expressed frustration at what they perceive as the government’s failure to listen.
“We do not have another country to go to when things go wrong,” Ruto said. “It is our responsibility to keep our country safe.”
But the youth remain defiant. “The struggle continues,” read the front page of The Standard newspaper — quoting the Mozambican liberation slogan “A luta continua.”
Looking Ahead
While calm had returned to some parts of the country by Thursday morning, the scars of the protests were visible. Charred government buildings, looted shops, and mourning families bore testimony to a nation in turmoil.
In parliament, President Ruto has since signed a revised Finance Bill into law. While tax hikes were removed, the bill grants the Kenya Revenue Authority intrusive access to personal financial data — another point of contention.
Whether this moment leads to genuine political reform or deeper repression remains uncertain. But for now, Kenya’s youth are refusing to be silenced.
As one protester put it:
“The youth are unstoppable. We’ve come to fight for our rights. We don’t want bad leadership.”
Editor’s Note:
This article is a tribute to the resilience of Kenya’s youth, who continue to demand accountability, dignity, and justice. Their struggle echoes a broader continental call for responsible governance and the end of police impunity across Africa.
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