1 day Ago
The demonstrations started out peacefully but soon became chaotic when the police faced off against the protesters. The deaths were verified by the government-funded Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, said Irũngũ Houghton, the executive director of Amnesty Kenya. The majority of the victims were said to have been shot by police.
Eighty-three people were seriously injured and at least eight people were treated for gunshot wounds, according to a joint statement by supporting groups. The Law Society of Kenya, the Police Reforms Working Group and the Kenya Medical Association leaders have urged for national dialogue and resolution of the political crisis through non-violent means.
Street Protests and Cubans on the Run
Meanwhile, thousands of protesters began streaming through the streets of the capital, Nairobi, holding flags and photos of victims of unrest last year. The police put up barriers and used razor wire to protect key government buildings. The city's central business district went silent as the shops were closed and police officers used tear gas, water cannons and truncheons to scatter the crowds.
There were reports of injuries from rubber bullets, and Kenyatta National Hospital received 56 patients. The same discontent was felt in other cities, such as Mombasa, Nakuru and Kisumu. In Kikuyu town, protesters burned parts of court buildings.
The national communications authority directed TV and radio stations to stop live coverage of the protests or face regulatory action. Later, several television channels were shut down.
Facing Police Brutality, Anger Overflows in the Streets
The protests have grown out of mounting popular discontent over corruption, joblessness, soaring living expenses and protracted episodes of police violence. There is mounting public anger over recent deaths, such as that of teacher Albert Ojwang, who was beaten in police custody after allegedly disparaging a senior police officer on Facebook. Boniface Kariuki, a vendor, was shot at close range by police during protests following his death.
Protestors like Stephanie Marie took to the streets in Nairobi, concerned for the safety of their communities. "It could be my brother, it could be my cousin," she said, calling on leaders to hear the people. Another protester, Innocent, marched in honour of a friend who perished during the 2023 protests. Even tear gas couldn't dissuade him. "The youth are irresistible," he said. "We don't want bad leadership.
