At least 16 people have been killed and over 400 injured during widespread anti-government protests across Kenya, according to Amnesty International’s Kenya branch. Most of the fatalities were reportedly caused by police gunfire.
The demonstrations erupted on Wednesday to mark the anniversary of the "People's Movement" launched in 2024, a grassroots protest campaign demanding government accountability, an end to police brutality, and reforms in economic governance.
Irungu Houghton, Executive Director of Amnesty International Kenya, confirmed that the death toll had been verified in coordination with the government-funded Kenya National Commission on Human Rights. At least five victims were fatally shot. The protests saw violence intensify in the capital, Nairobi, and spread to major cities including Mombasa, Kisumu, and Nakuru.
Medical sources indicated that 83 of the injured are in critical condition, with at least eight people being treated for gunshot wounds, including three police officers.
In a joint statement, a coalition of 20 NGOs, including Amnesty International and the Kenya Human Rights Commission, urged remaining demonstrators to exercise caution to prevent further casualties.
Kenyan President William Ruto responded to the unrest during a funeral ceremony on the coast, calling on demonstrators not to destroy the country. He stated that Kenyans have no other home and must protect their nation’s safety.
Protesters, angered by rampant corruption and a heavy-handed police response, clashed with security forces near the presidential office in Nairobi. Police used tear gas and batons to disperse crowds. Roads leading to the parliament and presidential buildings were barricaded with barbed wire.
Follow the latest news on Google News
