At least 16 people were killed across Kenya on Wednesday during anti-government protests, with most deaths attributed to police, Amnesty International Kenya reported, as citizens marked the anniversary of last year’s deadly tax protests.
Thousands poured into the streets of Nairobi and other cities to commemorate the June 2024 demonstrations that left over 60 people dead. Police responded with tear gas, water cannons, and live fire in multiple locations, according to witnesses and local media.
Amnesty Kenya’s Executive Director Irungu Houghton said 16 deaths had been verified by the rights group in coordination with the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), adding that at least five people were shot dead.
“Most were killed by police,” Houghton told Reuters.
KNCHR earlier reported eight fatalities, all allegedly from gunshot wounds, and more than 400 injuries, including protesters, police, and journalists. The state-funded body cited heavy police deployment and “excessive use of force,” including rubber bullets and live rounds.
Kenya’s police spokesperson declined to comment. The Independent Policing Oversight Authority said 61 people had been arrested nationwide.
At Kenyatta National Hospital in Nairobi, a source told Reuters that 107 people had been admitted with gunshot-related injuries, though no deaths were reported there. Kenya Power said a security guard was shot dead while patrolling its Nairobi headquarters.
The protests were further fueled by public outrage over the death of 31-year-old blogger Albert Ojwang in police custody earlier this month. Six individuals, including three officers, were charged with murder on Tuesday. All have pleaded not guilty.
Ojwang’s death has reignited frustration over police violence and echoed the trauma of last year’s protest killings and a string of unexplained disappearances.
“We are fighting for the rights of our fellow youths and those killed since June 25,” said protester Lumumba Harmony. “We want justice.”
Broadcast coverage of the demonstrations was briefly cut off after the Communications Authority ordered Kenyan TV channels NTV and KTN to halt live transmissions. A Nairobi court later suspended the order, allowing the channels to resume.
Clashes were also reported in Mombasa, Kitengela, Kisii, Matuu, and Nyeri, while large crowds marched toward State House in Nairobi before being dispersed.
The protests mark one of the most serious challenges yet to President William Ruto’s government, whose handling of police conduct has come under renewed international scrutiny.