At least eight people lost their lives and hundreds more were injured during widespread protests across Kenya as demonstrators clashed with police in Nairobi and several other cities. The protests, held on the anniversary of deadly anti-government demonstrations from the previous year, saw thousands take to the streets, many chanting anti-government slogans and demanding the resignation of President William Ruto.
Demonstrators in Nairobi’s central business district carried branches symbolizing a peaceful movement, but tensions quickly escalated. Security forces responded with tear gas and physical force as crowds attempted to march toward the president’s official residence, State House. Razor wire and barricades were used to block access to key government buildings, including parliament.
The protests unfolded under intense scrutiny after a government ban on live TV and radio coverage was overturned by the High Court, allowing the nation and the world to witness the unfolding events. Despite President Ruto’s plea for calm from Kilifi, where he was attending a burial, the situation in Nairobi and other urban areas remained volatile. His absence from the capital was viewed by many as a strategic retreat in the face of mounting public anger.
Medical and legal organizations confirmed that eight protesters were killed and over 400 others injured, with at least 83 requiring specialized treatment. Among the injured were three police officers. Some reports suggested that the actual death toll could be as high as 16, pointing to the severity of the crackdown.
Tear gas blanketed city streets, forcing people to flee and seek shelter. Protesters, many of them young, displayed signs and memorials near parliament to honor those killed in previous demonstrations. One woman, draped in the national flag, held a poster listing names of past victims, highlighting the generational weight of their demands.
The unrest has been fueled by growing frustration over governance, public services, and economic struggles. Protesters expressed concerns over issues such as the quality of education and rising inequality, saying they were taking to the streets for the sake of their children’s future.
As the smoke clears, the nation grapples with difficult questions about leadership, accountability, and the limits of civic dissent. The symbolic acts of resistance, including wreaths at parliament and silent vigils, underscore a broader call for reform and justice in a country still recovering from its past political traumas.
