Eleven people have been killed nationwide during anti-government protests in Kenya on the 35th anniversary of a pro-democracy uprising, the country’s police have reported. Fifty-two police officers were injured in the clashes. The protests, which marked the historic Saba Saba Day, have turned into a wider call for President William Ruto to resign.
The police fired live rounds and water cannons at protesters in the capital Nairobi, as hundreds demonstrated in the city, blowing whistles while marching amid heavy police deployment.
Malcolm Webb, reporting from Nairobi, said police blocked most main roads leading to the city centre, adding that protesters were trying to reach there as clashes occurred. “We started receiving reports from several locations of people with gunshot wounds,” Webb said, adding that ambulances headed to the locations where wounded people were.
Francis Waswa, a construction worker, expressed the determination of the protesters, saying, “We are not ready to go back [home] because who will fight for our rights then? We will be here till evening.” The protests have seen looting and violence, leaving dozens dead and thousands of businesses destroyed. Protesters accuse the authorities of paying armed vandals to discredit their movement, while the government has compared the demonstrations to an “attempted coup”.
The government has committed to protecting life and property during protests. Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen stated, “Our security agencies are on high alert to deal decisively with criminals and other elements of ill intent who may seek to infiltrate peaceful processions to cause havoc, mayhem, or destruction of property.” Leading activist Hanifa Aden criticized the police response, tweeting, “The police getting rained on as they block every road while we stay at home warming our beds.” She added, “Total shutdown and forced holiday executed by the state”.
The protests are driven by grievances over corruption, police brutality, and unexplained disappearances of government critics. The death of Albert Ojwang, a teacher and blogger, in police custody in June sparked fresh protests. Prosecutors have approved murder charges against six people, including three police officers, over Ojwang’s death. At least 80 people have died in protests since June 2024, and dozens have been detained illegally.
President Ruto still holds a strong position, having forged an alliance with the main opposition leader, Raila Odinga, leaving no clear challenger ahead of the next vote in 2027. The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has condemned police brutality and called for accountability. KNCHR reported that at least 10 people were killed and almost 30 injured in the demonstrations.