Wamuzi News Ke
Tragedy struck across Kenya today as anti-government protests marking the one-year anniversary of the deadly 2024 demonstrations turned violent. According to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), at least eight people were killed and over 400 wounded in clashes between protesters and security forces .
The unrest started in major centres including Nairobi, Mombasa, Nakuru, Machakos, Makueni, Kiambu, Uasin Gishu, and Nyandarua counties. KNCHR reported most of the fatalities resulted from gunshot wounds fired during intense confrontations with police eastleighvoice.co.ke+1washingtonpost.com+1.
Protests escalated as demonstrators—primarily youth mobilised via social media—revived calls for accountability over police brutality, economic hardship, and political corruption. Many carried crosses and flowers, remembering the more than 60 people killed during last year’s Finance Bill protests.
Security forces responded with tear gas, water cannons, rubber and live ammunition, enforcing roadblocks around Parliament and State House in Nairobi. Journalists on the ground reported gunshot injuries, one leaving a protester with severe facial trauma.
Simultaneously, the Communications Authority of Kenya issued orders banning live broadcast of the protests. Major TV stations including KTN and NTV went dark midway through the day—an act swiftly condemned by rights groups as a draconian media gag designed to cloak the violence.
International observers, including Amnesty International and the UN, joined local institutions like the Katiba Institute in denouncing both the media shutdown and police tactics. Western embassies also voiced concern, with the U.S. Embassy calling for restraint and lawful access to information .
The immediate catalyst included outrage over the recent death of blogger Albert Ojwang while in police custody, as well as the near-fatal shooting of street hawker Boniface Kariuki two weeks ago.
By evening, over 60 arrests were confirmed, with hundreds remaining hospitalized—many with life-threatening wounds.
Human rights groups denounced today’s violence as “a brutal echo of last year’s crackdown,” and warned Kenya risks sliding further into authoritarianism unless immediate reforms are enacted. They urged an independent inquiry, media freedom restoration, and justice for the victims.
What Comes Next?
Amid growing international scrutiny and public outrage, Kenyans await a response from President William Ruto’s administration. Will authorities ease media restrictions, hold law enforcement accountable, and open dialogue? Or will violent repression escalate further?
Media houses impacted by the broadcast ban are reportedly preparing legal action and may seek damages for the economic hit, intensifying pressure on state agencies.
This marks a pivotal moment in Kenya’s democracy – one that could reshape the country’s political and civic landscape for years to come.
