Kenya Protest Turns Violent as Police Clash with Demonstrators

 Kenya Protest Turns Violent as Police Clash with Demonstrators

Nationwide protests in Kenya marking the 35th anniversary of the pro-democracy “Saba Saba” movement escalated into violent clashes, as police opened fire and used water cannons on demonstrators in Nairobi. The rallies, originally to commemorate the July 7, 1990 uprising against one-party rule under former President Daniel arap Moi, have morphed into a broader call for President William Ruto to resign.

At least one person has been confirmed dead, with several others injured during the clashes, according to local media. Protesters marched through the capital, some blowing whistles, as riot police blocked roads and attempted to disperse crowds. Most schools and businesses closed in anticipation of unrest.

The demonstrations have been fueled by growing dissatisfaction with President Ruto’s leadership, especially regarding corruption, rising economic inequality, and police brutality. Many young Kenyans, who feel excluded from formal employment and economic growth, have taken to the streets demanding systemic change.

Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen said on X (formerly Twitter) that security forces are on high alert to deal with “criminal elements” trying to infiltrate peaceful protests. However, activists claim the government is deliberately trying to delegitimize the protest movement by sending paid vandals to incite chaos.

A video of protestors accusing the police of harassing unarmed civilians has gone viral, intensifying public outrage. In a statement, activist Hanifa Aden criticized the state’s response, calling it a “forced holiday executed by the state.

See also: Roads Blocked in Nairobi as Kenyans Mark Anniversary of Pro Democracy Protests

The current wave of protests in Kenya follows a violent month in which at least 80 people have died in demonstrations since June 2024, according to the government-funded Kenya National Commission on Human Rights. The situation worsened after the death of Albert Ojwanga teacher and bloggerwhile in police custody. Six people, including three police officers, have been charged with murder over the incident, but all pleaded not guilty.

The growing movement is driven by widespread anger at economic hardship and police abuses. About 80 percent of Kenyans work in the informal sector with limited access to stable income or social protections. Rising costs, unemployment, and lack of political accountability have further inflamed tensions.

Sunday saw a violent disruption of a Kenyan Human Rights Commission press conference that was calling for an end to extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances. Armed men stormed the venue, reportedly without police intervention.

Protesters have also accused the government of labeling the movement as an “attempted coup” in order to justify its crackdown, even as many citizens insist they are peacefully exercising their constitutional rights.

Despite the unrest, President Ruto’s political position remains strong. Elected in 2022, he maintains a strategic alliance with opposition leader Raila Odinga, which has effectively sidelined any major political challenger ahead of the 2027 elections.

Analysts say the government faces a difficult balanceaddressing legitimate demands from a disaffected youth population while preserving order in an increasingly polarized society. With the death toll rising and public anger boiling, the pressure is mounting on Ruto’s administration to respond meaningfully to the protesters’ demands.