Thousands of Kenyans marched on Wednesday to commemorate the first anniversary of last year’s anti-tax protests, when security forces killed at least 60 people and demonstrators stormed the national parliament.
Police fired tear gas and sealed roads into Nairobi’s central business district, while marches in Mombasa and Nakuru remained largely peaceful. Anger at police tactics has been rekindled by the June death in custody of blogger-teacher Albert Ojwang, 31. Six people, including three police officers, were charged with his murder on Tuesday and pleaded not guilty.
Protesters and opposition leaders laid wreaths against razor-wire outside parliament. “A year later, nothing has happened,” Wiper Party chief Kalonzo Musyoka said, accusing President William Ruto’s government of ignoring demands for accountability after last year’s violence.
The interior ministry warned demonstrators not to “provoke police or breach protected areas,” but western embassies—including the United States, Britain and Canada—urged authorities and protesters alike to ensure peaceful rallies and criticised the use of plain-clothes officers and hired thugs to break up crowds.
Families of the 2024 victims say justice remains elusive. “No amount of compensation will replace Rex,” said Gillian Munyau, mother of 21-year-old protester Rex Kanyike Masai, one of the first people killed last year.
Kenya’s foreign affairs ministry said any police misconduct would be handled through parliament and the courts.