Kenya protests turn deadly as at least eight people lost their lives and over 400 others suffered injuries during mass demonstrations against President William Ruto’s government. The violence broke out on Wednesday, exactly one year after similar unrest shook the country in 2024.
Thousands of protesters marched through Nairobi and other major cities, chanting “Ruto must go” while waving branches as a sign of peaceful resistance. Many of them aimed to reach State House, the president’s official residence, but heavily armed police blocked access using barricades and razor wire.
While the government attempted to ban live television and radio coverage of the protests, the High Court in Nairobi swiftly overturned the directive. Despite this, images and videos showed streets engulfed in tear gas, as demonstrators scattered to escape the clouds of smoke.
President Ruto, who was not present at State House during the chaos, addressed the situation from a burial ceremony in Kilifi County. He warned against threatening Kenya’s stability. “Protests should not be to destroy peace in Kenya. We do not have another country to go to when things go wrong,” he said.
His absence from the capital did not go unnoticed. Many young protesters saw it as a sign of disconnect between the administration and the people. The crowd’s determination to be heard grew even stronger as they marched past shuttered businesses, waving placards and shouting slogans.
The Kenya Medical Association, Law Society of Kenya, and the Police Reforms Working Group confirmed the fatalities in a joint statement. Among the 400 injured, 83 needed specialized treatment, and at least eight people sustained gunshot wounds. The injured included civilians and police officers.
Human rights watchdog Amnesty Kenya reported that the real death toll could be as high as 16. They have called for an independent investigation into police conduct during the unrest. This echoes past demands for accountability after violent crackdowns on previous demonstrations.
Among the demonstrators was Amina Mude, a mother who joined the protest to voice her frustrations. “I feel like as a country we’re not going in the right direction, especially in education,” she said. “It’s high time that the leadership listens to us.”
Downtown Nairobi became the epicenter of tension. Tear gas filled the air as protesters dodged rubber bullets and water cannons. Streets normally filled with traffic and vendors fell silent, save for the chants of angry citizens demanding change.
In front of Parliament, symbolic tributes covered the fence: wreaths, photos, and handwritten messages from bereaved families. One young woman wrapped in the Kenyan flag carried a sign with the names of those killed in last year’s protests—an emotional reminder of the ongoing cost of resistance.
Although the government has yet to issue official casualty figures, civil society groups continue to report and verify incidents from across the country. Their documentation efforts are essential in a climate where state information is often delayed or disputed.
Kenya protests turn deadly once again as tensions rise between citizens and the administration. As calls for reform grow louder, the need for dialogue, transparency, and restraint becomes more urgent. Many Kenyans believe the direction the country takes now will shape the nation’s future for generations.
READ: Kenyan Blogger’s Death Sparks Murder Charges Against Police
