At least 16 people have been killed while 400 others are injured in the African state of Kenya after a nationwide demonstration to honour those killed during last year’s anti-government protest turned chaotic. The police took no time in clashing with the protesters in different parts of the country. The death toll has been verified by the government-funded Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, confirms Amnesty International Kenya’s Executive Director, Irũngũ Houghton.
Property was also destroyed in the protest that attracted thousands of frustrated, young Kenyans. This includes the razing down of two police stations by angry protesters. Protesters gathered from 23 of the 47 counties across the country to end police brutality and seek better governance in the nation.
“We pray for our nation, dialogue, and a way forward for the political impasse facing Kenya,” said a joint statement from the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), the Police Reforms Working Group, and the Kenya Medical Association. The joint statement from all the groups supporting the protests also noted that 83 people were seriously injured and at least eight people were being treated for gunshot wounds at the moment.
“We face an unfortunate paradox as a country where more lives are being lost as the people seek justice for the lives already lost,” wrote the LSK’s President, Faith Odhiambo, on social media platform X. “Our hearts break for all the victims of the continued trend of police brutality and excesses.”
In the early hours of Wednesday this week, thousands of Kenyan citizens took to the streets to pay tribute to more than 60 people who died during last year’s protest. Last year, police opened fire on protesters outside the Kenyan Parliament as they attempted to enter the building in Nairobi while MPs were sitting inside to pass legislation raising taxes. At least five people were shot dead, according to international media. The situation became very chaotic as the police started shooting after tear gas and water cannon failed to disperse the crowd of thousands. Flames were seen coming from inside the building.
The protesters aimed to shut down Parliament and seek the resignation of every MP to form a new government. Many also called for President William Ruto to step down. The demonstrators opposed tax hikes in a country reeling from a cost-of-living crisis.
In last year’s protest, Auma Obama, an activist and the half-sister of former US President Barack Obama, also joined the protesters, who were tear-gassed.
