At Least 16 Killed, Hundreds Injured in Kenya as Protests Turn Deadly

At least 16 people have been confirmed dead and more than 400 others injured following widespread anti-government protests across Kenya on Wednesday, according to Amnesty International Kenya.

The demonstrations, held on June 25, marked the one year anniversary of the deadly 2024 anti Finance Bill protests that saw dozens killed during a storming of Parliament. This year’s protests were once again fueled by frustration over police brutality, rising cost of living, and deep seated public distrust in the government of President William Ruto.

Protests erupted in multiple towns and cities including Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, Eldoret, Nyeri, Thika, and others. Amnesty reports that most of the fatalities were caused by live police fire, with victims including youth, bystanders, and even journalists. Dozens of others were wounded by rubber bullets, tear gas, and baton attacks.

“In several locations, police responded with unnecessary and excessive force. These deaths were avoidable,” Amnesty International Kenya stated, calling for urgent investigations into police conduct.

Among those injured were both civilians and law enforcement officers, with hospitals in major cities overwhelmed by the influx of casualties. Video footage and witness testimonies circulated online showed police firing directly at crowds and using tear gas in residential areas.

The protests also reignited anger over recent controversial incidents, including the death in police custody of teacher and blogger Albert Ojwang and the fatal shooting of hawker Boniface Kariuki cases that have highlighted a long standing culture of impunity within the police service.

In a sweeping crackdown, at least 61 people were arrested nationwide. Meanwhile, sections of businesses were looted and public buildings including police stations and courts were set ablaze in some towns.

Despite calls from religious and civil society leaders for dialogue and restraint, the government defended its response, with top officials citing the need to "protect life and property." However, the brutality of the crackdown has drawn condemnation both locally and internationally.

Amnesty Kenya urged families of the deceased to seek independent postmortems and to preserve evidence. "We ask families not to bury their loved ones in haste. Truth and justice depend on documented medical evidence," the organization said.

The tragic events of June 25 have cast a renewed spotlight on the state of civil liberties in Kenya and the urgent need for police reform. As the country mourns, calls are growing louder for accountability, justice, and an end to the cycle of violence that continues to stain Kenya’s democratic landscape.