Kenya in Crisis: Anniversary Protests Leave Trail of Death and Injury

At least eight people have been killed and over 400 injured as thousands of young Kenyans took to the streets in a renewed wave of anti-government protests marking the one-year anniversary of the 2024 Finance Bill uprising.

Demonstrators clashed with police in the capital, Nairobi, and other major cities amid a heavy security presence. The protests, which began as a remembrance event for victims of last year’s police crackdown, quickly escalated into violent confrontations, reigniting public outrage over state brutality, economic hardship, and unfulfilled government promises.

Human rights group Amnesty Kenya put the death toll at 16, making it one of the deadliest protest anniversaries in recent years.

A Nation Remembers, and Rises Again

The day was intended to honor victims of the 2024 protests, which had been triggered by a deeply unpopular Finance Bill proposing increased taxes on essential goods. The bill ignited youth-led demonstrations that culminated in the storming of Parliament on June 25, 2024. Dozens were killed during that uprising, most of them young and unarmed.

This year, demonstrators returned to the streets waving Kenyan flags and chanting “Ruto must go,” a reference to President William Ruto, whose administration has struggled to rebuild trust with Kenya’s younger population. Many carried branches as a symbol of peaceful resistance.

The fence around Parliament was again a focal point, this time lined with wreaths, placards, and handwritten notes from grieving families and defiant youth. A young woman draped in a Kenyan flag held up a poster bearing the names of those killed in last year’s protests.

Media Blackout Attempt Overturned by Court

In an attempt to control public perception, the government banned live TV and radio coverage of the protests. However, the High Court in Nairobi overturned the decree, affirming press freedom and the public’s right to information. Despite the ruling, reports indicate that some independent media houses were briefly taken off air or faced digital disruptions.

Death of Activist Adds Fuel to the Fire

Tensions were already high ahead of the anniversary due to the recent death of Albert Ojwang, a 21-year-old activist who died in police custody on June 8 after his arrest for alleged defamation. Authorities claimed suicide, but an independent autopsy confirmed he had been beaten, sparking fresh outrage.

Ojwang’s name became a rallying cry during the protests, appearing on placards and murals across Nairobi and other cities. Protesters called him “the voice they tried to silence.”

Day of Violence: Barricades, Tear Gas, and Bullet Wounds

In the capital, police deployed barricades and razor wire, sealing off major roads and key government buildings, including State House and Parliament. Protesters attempting to march to the president’s official residence were repelled with tear gas, rubber bullets, and water cannons.

According to a joint statement by the Kenya Medical Association, Law Society of Kenya, and the Police Reforms Working Group, eight protesters were confirmed dead, while 400 others were injured. Of those, 83 required specialized treatment, including eight with gunshot wounds. Three police officers were also among the injured.

Video footage from downtown Nairobi showed clouds of white tear gas drifting between buildings as protesters scrambled for cover. Shops remained shuttered and roads eerily empty as violence spread across the city.

In cities like Kisumu and Nakuru, scenes of burning tires, vandalized police posts, and youth-led chants mirrored the 2024 chaos.

Voices from the Ground

One protester, Amina Mude, told reporters that she joined the demonstrations “to fight for the future of my kids.”

“I feel like as a country we’re not going in the right direction, especially in education and everything happening. I feel like it’s high time the country and the leadership listens to us.”

Government’s Response

President William Ruto, speaking from a burial ceremony in Kilifi County—far from the chaos in Nairobi, urged restraint.

“Protests should not be to destroy peace in Kenya. We do not have another country to go to when things go wrong. It is our responsibility to keep our country safe,” he said.

His absence from State House on the day protesters tried to storm it drew criticism and speculation online.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki condemned the protests as “coordinated acts of terrorism disguised as civil demonstrations.” He alleged that protesters attacked officers and looted public property, adding that the state would “not allow disorder under the guise of free expression.”

International and Domestic Reactions

The United Nations, Amnesty International, and several foreign embassies condemned the use of excessive force and urged the government to ensure the right to peaceful assembly. Amnesty Kenya said it documented 16 deaths and multiple human rights violations by law enforcement.

The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has launched investigations into police conduct during the protests. Six officers have already been charged in connection with Ojwang’s death.

A Generation’s Cry for Change

As the dust settles, one thing remains clear: Kenya’s Gen Z is not retreating. Their demands include:

• A public inquiry into protest-related deaths
• Comprehensive police reform
• Protection of digital freedoms and civil liberties
• A youth-centered economic agenda

Whether the government will take meaningful steps to address these concerns remains uncertain. For now, the youth-led movement shows no signs of fading and neither does its resolve.