Death toll soars as Kenyan protest turns into national tragedy

At least 16 people were killed and over 400 others injured across Kenya on Wednesday, June 25, during nationwide anti-government protests, according to Amnesty International Kenya.

The protests marked the one-year anniversary of the deadly 2024 demonstrations against a controversial tax bill that resulted in the storming of parliament.

Thousands of Kenyans took to the streets, especially in Nairobi, where protesters faced off with police forces who responded with water cannons, tear gas, and, in some cases, live ammunition.

In scenes reminiscent of last year’s unrest, demonstrators attempted to march toward key government buildings, including the president’s official residence.

Amnesty Kenya Executive Director, Irungu Houghton, confirmed to Reuters that “16 people were verified dead as of 8:30pm,” citing reports from Amnesty, local hospitals, and the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR).

“Most were killed by police,” he added, noting that at least five had been shot.

The KNCHR, a state-funded human rights body, had earlier put the death toll at eight, all allegedly killed by gunfire.

In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), the agency also reported over 400 injuries among protesters, journalists, and police officers.

Kenyatta National Hospital in Nairobi reported receiving 107 patients from the protests.

A hospital source said most were suffering from gunshot injuries, likely from both rubber bullets and live rounds.

The source confirmed that no fatalities had been reported at the facility itself.

Separately, Kenya Power, the country’s national electricity company, confirmed that a security guard was fatally shot while on patrol near its headquarters in Nairobi.

The protests led to major media disruption.

Kenyan television stations NTV and KTN were briefly pulled off air after they defied a government directive to stop broadcasting live footage of the demonstrations.

Both channels later resumed operations following a Nairobi court order suspending the ban.

Police spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga declined to comment on the reports of police violence.

However, the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) said it had launched investigations and confirmed that at least 61 people had been arrested.

Wednesday’s protests, while initially peaceful, quickly descended into chaos, reviving concerns over the growing use of excessive force by security agencies in Kenya.

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