Two people have reportedly died in Kenya from gunshot wounds after police allegedly opened fire on protesters in Nairobi during mass demonstrations marking the 35th anniversary of the historic Saba Saba movement. The protests, led by youth and civil society groups, have reignited long-standing tensions over governance, police brutality, and social justice.
Dr. Aron Sikuku, a medic at Eagle Nursing Home located in Kangemi, on the outskirts of the capital, confirmed to the BBC that two bodies were brought to the hospital, both having succumbed to gunshot wounds. He said that hundreds of angry demonstrators had surrounded the facility, demanding the release of the bodies. As of now, there has been no official government confirmation of the deaths.
The protest was part of a broader wave of anti-government demonstrations that have surged across the country since last year, largely driven by young Kenyans—particularly Gen Z—who are calling for more transparent leadership and justice for victims of state violence.
Heavily Armed Police Respond with Force in the Capital
Nairobi was effectively under lockdown early Monday morning, as police and military forces blocked major roads into the city center, causing widespread disruption. Businesses remained shut, schools were closed, and central Nairobi appeared deserted. Key government buildings, including State House and the Kenyan Parliament, were cordoned off with razor wire barriers.
In several neighborhoods, including Kamukunji—an iconic protest site—police confronted demonstrators who had lit fires and tried to push through security barriers. Tear gas and water cannons were deployed to break up crowds in Thika Road and Kitengela, where confrontations between demonstrators and law enforcement escalated quickly.
Dr. Sikuku noted that despite the heavy police presence, large numbers of injured individuals were arriving at the hospital with various injuries, mostly related to clashes with the police. “It’s a chaotic scene,” he told local media.
The police lockdown had a ripple effect on public transport. Thousands of early-morning commuters and overnight travelers were stranded at checkpoints as far as 10 kilometers from the city center. Only a few vehicles were allowed to pass through.
Long-distance buses were forced to park in areas like Kabete, approximately 13 kilometers from Nairobi’s CBD. Many passengers could not afford to pay for motorbike taxis to complete their journey, leaving them stranded for hours.
Humphrey Gumbishi, a long-distance bus driver, said they started their journey on Sunday evening but were stopped by roadblocks by morning. “We want the government to talk to the youth—this is not sustainable,” he told BBC reporters.
Monday’s protest marked the anniversary of the Saba Saba protests of 7 July 1990, a landmark event in Kenya’s fight for multiparty democracy. On that day, thousands rallied against the one-party rule of then-President Daniel arap Moi, demanding political reforms. The state’s response was violent: over 20 people were reportedly killed and many others detained.
Today, Saba Saba has become a symbolic day of civic resistance, especially for youth who see their struggles for accountability and justice as a continuation of that legacy.
The current wave of protests is largely organized by Gen Z Kenyans, who have turned to social media to coordinate demonstrations and share their grievances. Their demands include an end to police brutality, job creation, and the repeal of harsh economic policies.
The police, in a statement issued Sunday night, defended their actions, claiming it is their “constitutional duty to protect lives and property while maintaining public order.”
However, civil society organizations have raised alarms about the excessive use of force and the presence of infiltrators—commonly referred to as “goons”—who are accused of looting and inciting violence. Rights groups say these elements are often used to discredit peaceful protests, a charge the police have denied.
On the eve of the protest, a violent gang stormed the offices of the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) in Nairobi. The NGO was hosting a press conference led by women activists advocating against state violence. Ernest Cornel, KHRC’s spokesman, said the gang, composed of about 25 men on motorbikes, stole laptops, phones, and attacked journalists present at the event.
“They chanted, ‘There will be no protest today,’ as they looted and intimidated everyone in the building,” Cornel said in an interview with BBC Newsday.
With two reported dead in Kenya amid the ongoing unrest, public anger is mounting. The government has yet to officially comment on the fatalities, but the pressure is building for a transparent investigation and accountability.
Observers warn that unless meaningful dialogue is initiated between the government and its youth population, these protests could evolve into a sustained movement—much like the original Saba Saba struggle that changed the course of Kenya’s political history.
Source- BBC
