Kenyan police fired tear gas in Nairobi on Thursday to disperse protesters marking the second anniversary of deadly anti-government demonstrations, as authorities sealed off parliament and arrested hundreds across the country.
Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen said 355 people were arrested in different parts of Kenya. He apologised for the disruption caused by barricades, roadblocks and heavy security deployments, but said the measures had helped secure Nairobi and other areas.
“We regret the inconveniences occasioned by these measures, and at the same time appreciate their effectiveness in securing the city and other parts of the country,” Murkomen told reporters.
Organisers had planned marches to remember those killed during the 2024 protests against tax hikes and the rising cost of living. The unrest culminated in demonstrators breaching parliament grounds before a security crackdown that left at least 60 people dead, according to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights.
A Reuters correspondent saw police fire tear gas at people gathering peacefully near Nairobi’s main police station after officers detained at least six people outside parliament, where mourners had laid flowers.
Citizen TV footage also showed police firing tear gas on the outskirts of the capital. In Mombasa, dozens of marchers were earlier escorted by security forces.
Central Nairobi was largely shut down ahead of the planned march. Shops and restaurants in the central business district remained closed as police deployed water cannon trucks, roadblocks and razor wire around parliament.
“Today we remember our comrades who died in the demonstrations,” said John Maina, 26.
Opposition leaders joined victims of alleged police brutality and families of slain protesters as they tried to reach parliament.
“As parents, we sought permission just to come here … to mourn and lay flowers for our children. But when we arrived, we were shocked because the police blocked us,” said Edith Wanjiku, whose 19-year-old son Ibrahim Kamau was killed in 2024.
“That is very shameful,” she said, calling on President William Ruto to ensure justice for families of the dead.
“The police officers who killed the children — because they are known — I am only asking for justice for those children and also compensation,” she said.
Murkomen had warned before the demonstrations that anyone seeking to engage in “chaos, looting, destroy property, disrupt businesses, or commit any other criminal acts” would be dealt with firmly.
Protest organisers say they are demanding credible investigations into past police conduct and guarantees that excessive force will not be used against demonstrators.
Ruto has acknowledged “instances of excessive and extrajudicial actions” by security forces and said last week that the government had set aside 2 billion Kenyan shillings, or about $15.5 million, for victims of protest-related abuses.
Rights groups say compensation alone is not enough.
“Every time there is a protest, innocent Kenyans are killed. Because these killer cops are not being arrested. They are not being held to account,” said activist Hussein Khalid.
“We will continue pushing for justice … they will not hoodwink us with money.”