Kenyan police fired tear gas on Thursday to disperse protesters in Nairobi after dozens took to the streets in memory of demonstrators killed two years ago in anti-government rallies against tax hikes and the cost of living.
Organisers had planned marches to mark the second anniversary of the unrest, when protesters breached parliament grounds before a crackdown left at least 60 people dead, according to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights.
A Reuters correspondent saw police fire tear gas to scatter people gathering peacefully at Nairobi’s main police station after security forces detained at least six outside parliament, where they had laid flowers.
Footage broadcast on Citizen TV also showed police firing tear gas on the outskirts of Nairobi.
In Mombasa, dozens of marchers had earlier been escorted by security forces.
Central Nairobi shuts down
But in the capital, shops and restaurants within the central business district had remained shut as police set up roadblocks with water cannon trucks and cordoned parliament off with razor wire.
“Today we remember our comrades who died in the demonstrations,” said John Maina, 26. “They were not fighting for any profit … It’s not a protest, it’s a remembrance.”
Opposition leaders joined victims of alleged police brutality and families of slain protesters heading to 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.”
“And one thing I would ask of President (William) Ruto: those police officers who killed the children – because they are known – I am only asking for justice for those children and also compensation.”
Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen had said anyone seeking to engage in “chaos, looting, destroy property, disrupt businesses, or commit any other criminal acts” would be dealt with severely.
Protest organisers say they want credible investigations into past police conduct and guarantees against the use of excessive force.
Ruto has acknowledged “instances of excessive and extrajudicial actions by members of the security services” and said last week that 2 billion shillings ($15.5-million) had been set aside for victims of protest-related abuses.
However, civil society organisations want more.
“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.” ($1 = 129.2000 Kenyan shillings)
- Kenyan police used tear gas to disperse peaceful protesters in Nairobi commemorating two years since deadly anti-government rallies against tax hikes and living costs.
- The 2022 protests involved breaching parliament grounds and a crackdown that killed at least 60 people, according to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights.
- Police blocked and detained mourners who came to lay flowers at parliament, causing shops to close in central Nairobi amid heavy security and roadblocks.
- Families of slain protesters demand justice and compensation, criticizing the government for failing to hold police officers accountable for past killings.
- President Ruto acknowledged excessive police force and allocated $15.5 million for victims, but activists call for credible investigations and ongoing accountability.
Organisers had planned marches to mark the second anniversary of the unrest, when protesters breached parliament grounds before a crackdown left at least 60 people dead, according to the
A Reuters correspondent saw police fire tear gas to scatter people gathering peacefully at Nairobi's main police station after security forces detained at least six outside parliament, where they had laid flowers.
Footage broadcast on Citizen TV also showed police firing tear gas on the outskirts of Nairobi.
In
But in the capital, shops and restaurants within the central business district had remained shut as police set up roadblocks with water cannon trucks and cordoned parliament off with razor wire.
“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 heading to 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
"
Interior Minister
Protest organisers say they want credible investigations into past police conduct and guarantees against the use of excessive force.
Ruto has acknowledged “instances of excessive and extrajudicial actions by members of the security services" and said last week that 2 billion shillings ($15.5-million) had been set aside for victims of protest-related abuses.
However, civil society organisations want more.
"Every time there is a protest, innocent
"We will continue pushing for justice ... they will not hoodwink us with money." ($1 = 129.2000
