By Olatunbosun Obafemi
At least sixteen people were killed during nationwide anti-government protests in Kenya on Wednesday, most of them reportedly shot by police, according to Amnesty Kenya.
The protests marked the first anniversary of last year’s deadly demonstrations against a controversial tax bill, which culminated in the storming of parliament and the deaths of more than 60 people.
Thousands took to the streets in Nairobi and other towns to commemorate the 2024 unrest, which has become a symbol of growing public frustration with police brutality, economic hardship, and a perceived erosion of civil liberties. Police responded with tear gas, water cannons, and reportedly live ammunition to disperse crowds in the capital.
Clashes broke out in multiple locations, and according to Amnesty Kenya’s executive director, Irungu Houghton, at least sixteen fatalities were verified by his organization and the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR).
“Most were killed by police,” Houghton said, adding that five of the victims had been shot dead. The KNCHR also reported over 400 injuries, including among demonstrators, police officers, and journalists. Kenyatta National Hospital in Nairobi confirmed it had admitted 107 injured people, many with gunshot wounds.
The protests also saw media interference. Local television channels NTV and KTN were briefly taken off-air after defying a government order to cease live coverage. The blackout was overturned hours later by a Nairobi court, raising alarm about the government’s approach to press freedom.
Demonstrations extended beyond the capital, with unrest reported in Mombasa, Kitengela, Kisii, Matuu, and Nyeri. A security guard working for national electricity provider Kenya Power was among the dead, killed by gunfire while on duty.
The unrest follows renewed public anger over the recent death of blogger and teacher Albert Ojwang while in police custody. Six individuals, including three police officers, were charged with his murder on Tuesday. All pleaded not guilty, but the incident has fueled suspicions of state abuse and a culture of impunity.
Protesters say they are demanding justice for victims of police violence and calling for meaningful reform. “We are fighting for the rights of our fellow youths and Kenyans and the people who died since June 25… we want justice,” one demonstrator, Lumumba Harmony, told Reuters.
President William Ruto’s administration has yet to formally respond to the latest deaths. The growing crisis underscores rising tensions between citizens and state security forces in one of East Africa’s most stable democracies.
