Kenyan Police Clash with Protesters on Anniversary of Deadly Demonstrations as Government Bans Live Coverage
- Victor Nwoko
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
NAIROBI — Kenyan police fired tear gas, water cannons, and live ammunition on Wednesday as thousands of demonstrators took to the streets to mark the first anniversary of the 2024 anti-government protests that left dozens dead. The youth-led demonstrations erupted in major cities including Nairobi and Mombasa, with protesters demanding justice for victims of police brutality and continued economic hardship.
Ahead of the protests, the Communications Authority of Kenya ordered all television and radio stations to halt live coverage of the demonstrations. The agency claimed the broadcasts violated Kenyan law and threatened regulatory sanctions for non-compliance. Several outlets defied the directive and continued airing coverage.
In Nairobi, roads leading to key government buildings—including Parliament and the presidential offices—were barricaded, as security forces sought to prevent a repeat of last year’s unrest when multiple protesters were killed outside Parliament. The 2024 protests forced the government to withdraw a controversial finance bill that would have raised taxes, but tensions remain high among the country’s youth.
Demonstrators cited ongoing cases of alleged police abuse, including the deaths of a teacher in police custody and an unarmed street vendor, as key grievances.
Police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse peaceful marchers. Witnesses in Nairobi reported officers firing live rounds into the crowd. Several protesters displayed spent cartridges to reporters on the scene.
Citizen TV aired footage showing injured protesters being rushed into a Nairobi hospital, while additional videos showed arrests and demonstrators being loaded into police trucks in Mombasa.
In Machakos County, one person was reported killed during morning protests. Amnesty International Kenya, alongside organizations such as the Law Society of Kenya, Police Reforms Working Group, and the Kenya Medical Association, reported that eight protesters were killed nationwide, with over 400 others injured. Of those, 83 sustained serious injuries, and at least eight were treated for gunshot wounds.
The renewed demonstrations highlight growing discontent among Kenyan youth over police violence, economic disparity, and shrinking democratic space. Calls are mounting for meaningful police reforms and increased accountability from the government.
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