Commemorative marches marking the first anniversary of Kenya’s 2024 anti-government protests turned violent on Wednesday, resulting in the deaths of two people and multiple injuries during clashes between demonstrators and police.
Thousands gathered in central Nairobi and other towns to honor those killed in last year’s protests over economic hardship and tax increases, which culminated in the storming of parliament on June 25, 2024. At least 60 people were killed during the initial demonstrations.
What began as a peaceful march quickly spiraled into unrest. Protesters ripped up flagstones to hurl at police and chanted calls for President William Ruto’s resignation. Security forces responded with tear gas and water cannons, sealing off government buildings with barbed wire.
“We are marching against police brutality, oppression by the government, and high taxation,” said Anthony, a 25-year-old protester selling flags who withheld his last name.
In the town of Matuu, about 100 kilometers from Nairobi, two protesters were reportedly shot dead, according to a hospital official. Local media claimed the police opened fire on demonstrators. In Nairobi, one police officer and several protesters sustained injuries, while a man believed to be a plainclothes officer was assaulted by the crowd.
Live broadcasts of the demonstrations were banned by the government, and social media access was restricted, with internet watchdog NetBlocks confirming limitations on Telegram. Despite the crackdown, large crowds continued to push toward Nairobi’s business district late into the afternoon.
Demonstrators expressed frustration over police brutality, corruption, and economic stagnation. A protester, Florence Achala, called for systemic change, saying, “The system is rotten. We want a complete overhaul.”
Tensions have been heightened in recent weeks following the death of a teacher in police custody and attacks on demonstrators by unidentified gangs riding motorcycles—commonly referred to as “goons.” Western embassies, including those of the U.S., UK, and Germany, condemned the use of hired agitators to disrupt peaceful protests.
Though these gangs were not visibly present on Wednesday, security forces heavily deployed tear gas in several areas of the capital.
Political analyst Javas Bigambo warned that political actors might exploit the protests for violence, saying, “There is nothing to celebrate about last year’s events. Commemoration should come with solemnity and restraint.”
President Ruto, who came to office in 2022 on promises of economic revival, is facing mounting disillusionment. While he scrapped a controversial finance bill following last year’s unrest, widespread complaints over inflation, corruption, and disappearances of critics persist.
Human rights groups report that more than 80 people have gone missing since the 2024 protests, with dozens still unaccounted for. Despite pledging an end to abductions, Ruto defended security forces in a speech on Tuesday, saying he would continue to “stand by” the police.
