Key facts
- Kenyan police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse protesters in Nairobi.
- The protests marked the anniversary of deadly anti-government rallies from 2024.
- Hundreds of arrests were made, with 355 reported by the Interior minister.
- Authorities restricted access to key government buildings and major roads.
- Two fatalities and hundreds of injuries were reported in Matuu.
- Human rights groups criticized the government's response and called for investigations.
Kenyan police deployed tear gas and water cannons in Nairobi on Monday to disperse demonstrators commemorating those killed during anti-government protests in 2024. The protests, largely organized by Gen Z youth, were against controversial tax hikes and high living costs. Interior minister Kipchumba Murkomen reported 355 arrests and apologized for security measures that inconvenienced citizens.
Authorities blocked major roads into the city and restricted pedestrian access, leading to most businesses remaining closed. Clashes also occurred in towns like Kitengela. In Matuu, northeast of Nairobi, two fatalities and hundreds of injuries were reported amid confrontations between demonstrators and police.
The government directed broadcasters to halt live coverage of the protests, and several social media platforms appeared to be restricted, drawing criticism from human rights groups. The Kenya Human Rights Commission condemned the government's response, calling for an investigation into the fatalities and the crackdown on civil liberties, warning that a repeat of the 2024 violence would harm the country's democracy.