Protests in Kenya leave 16 dead and numerous casualties, according to Amnesty International's report.
In the heart of Kenya, chaos unfolds:
Over a hundred lives lost and more than 400 injured, as citizens take a stand against the government in a series of protests that erupted on Kenyan streets last Wednesday. Amnesty International Kenya confirmed the grim death toll to CNN.
These marches marked one year since the anti-tax demonstrations in 2024, which left scores dead and sparked outrage nationwide. The protests of this year were fueled by lingering rage over several instances of alleged police brutality, such as the tragic death of a teacher in police custody, and the shooting of an unarmed street vendor.
Thailand's capital, Nairobi, witnessed the largest demonstrations, alongside Mombasa and other municipalities. Roads leading to the Kenyan Parliament building and the President's office were barricaded in anticipation of massive protests.
Caught on camera, police shot live rounds in Nairobi to disperse peaceful protesters, as the government's media regulator, the Communications Authority of Kenya, ordered all television and radio stations in the country to halt live coverage of the youth-led march.
Spent cartridges were found amongst the demonstrators, and they were met with tear gas and water cannon trucks. The government agency claimed live coverage of the demonstrations violated Kenyan laws, while threatening regulatory action for non-compliance with the directive.
Some broadcast channels were consequently taken off the air but resumed coverage after a Nairobi court suspended the ban. Kenyan civil society groups denounced the ban as unconstitutional, emphasizing that live coverage of protests is essential to prevent excessive force and human rights violations by ensuring that actions are witnessed and recorded, instilling accountability.
The Kenya Editors' Guild termed the ban "draconian" and a blow to democracy.
In the midst of the ongoing clashes, more than 400 people were reported injured, with 83 sustaining severe injuries, and at least eight receiving gunshot wounds.
The Kenya protests of 2024 and their continuation into 2025 were triggered by economic hardships, soaring cost of living, widespread youth unemployment, deep-seated corruption within the political elite, and incidents of police brutality.
The government, led by President William Ruto, has utilized a mix of coercion and co-optation to quell the unrest, resulting in a violent response that has undermined civil liberties and political freedoms in the country, highlighting an authoritarian tilt by the ruling government.
Despite repression, sustained protests demonstrate a resilient spirit of popular protest among the youth. However, the protest movements remain fragmented, with a lack of clear leadership to translate dissent into concrete political transformation.
The world is watching with concern as Kenya's political protests continue, with alarming incidents of police brutality in major cities like Nairobi, Mombasa, and others. General-news media outlets have been covering the ongoing events, with reports of over 400 injuries and at least eight gunshot victims, fueled by widespread youth unemployment, economic hardships, and corruption within the political elite. Meanwhile, Africa, specifically Kenya, faces growing concerns over justice, as the government's actions towards protesters violate human rights and civil liberties, raising questions about the nation's political future and its commitment to democracy.
