Wamuzi News Ke
Tragedy struck in Matuu town today as police opened fire on Gen‑Z protesters marking the one-year anniversary of last summer’s anti-tax demonstrations. At least one person is feared dead and several others injured in a shocking escalation of violence.
Violence erupts outside Matuu police station
Eyewitnesses told TUKO reporters that a largely peaceful group of youths had gathered outside Matuu Police Station—chanting slogans, lighting bonfires, and laying makeshift wreaths—when officers abruptly fired live rounds to repel what was described as an attempted breach.
A boda boda rider who witnessed the shooting recounted the chaos:
“They were just shouting, singing, and lighting tyres. Then we heard gunshots. People were screaming and running in every direction… It was scary.”
Fatality and multiple injuries reported
Early hospital reports confirm four individuals sustained gunshot wounds and were rushed to Matuu and neighboring hospitals. One young man is feared dead at the scene, though authorities have not yet confirmed the casualty.
Protests spread across Machakos and beyond
Matuu was not the only flashpoint: similar commemorative demonstrations were held in Machakos town and Mlolongo. The protesters are honoring those killed during the June 2024 anti-tax riots and demanding accountability for recent cases, including the death of blogger Albert Ojwang in police custody and the shooting of a young vendor in Nairobi.
Rights groups condemn excessive force
Critics have denounced the police response as “excessive and unnecessary.” Many are asking: how can a protest turn deadly when demonstrators were unarmed and focused on mourning? Civil society leaders are calling on authorities to allow peaceful commemoration without fear.
Backdrop of heightening tensions
These incidents unfold amid broader nationwide unrest: in Nairobi and other cities, demonstrators have clashed with police deploying tear gas, water cannons, and, ominously, live ammunition. The death of blogger Albert Ojwang and the shooting of a young vendor have reignited protests fueled by long-standing grievances over police brutality, corruption, and economic hardship .
What to Watch
- Will Machakos authorities confirm fatalities and release identities of the wounded?
- Can protests continue peacefully, or will the use of live fire escalate nationwide unrest?
- Will the recent pattern of violent suppression trigger new demands for reform or independent oversight?
