Kenya Protest Turn Deadly as Calls for Justice Over Police Brutality Intensify

Fresh protests erupted across Kenya on Wednesday, turning violent as demonstrators clashed with security forces in Nairobi and other major cities. The unrest, marking the anniversary of last year’s deadly anti-tax demonstrations, left 16 people dead and several others injured, according to local reports.

Police fired tear gas and live ammunition to disperse protesters in the capital, where crowds gathered to demand accountability for the 64 people killed during the 2023 protests. Human rights activist Hussein Khaled led calls for justice, urging the government to arrest those responsible, compensate victims’ families, and implement genuine police reforms.

“Sixty-four Kenyans were killed in cold blood. Not a single officer has been held to account,” Khaled said. “We want justice.”

The demonstrations, largely led by youth, reflected widespread dissatisfaction with President William Ruto’s leadership, citing concerns over authoritarianism, economic hardship, and alleged human rights abuses.

“People are being abducted and killed. We are fed up,” said protester Derrick Mwangi, echoing the frustration of many.

In Nairobi, businesses remained closed and access to the city center was heavily restricted. Protests also flared in Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, and Nyahururu, despite government declarations that Wednesday would be a “normal working day.”

Protesters carried placards and chanted slogans not only to honor those killed in previous crackdowns but also to highlight enduring issues—corruption, soaring living costs, and lack of accountability within the security forces.

Rights groups and legal advocates continue to press for investigations into police actions, as tensions mount over the government’s handling of dissent.