By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu
Violence swept through Kenya on Monday as anti-government protests turned deadly, leaving at least 10 people killed and 29 injured, according to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR). The unrest, part of the nationwide Saba Saba demonstrations, was sparked by growing frustration with President William Ruto’s administration.
The human rights body also reported cases of abductions, 37 arrests across 17 counties, and looting incidents in six different regions. One notable act of destruction occurred when the Kerugoya Central Constituency Development Fund (CDF) office was set on fire by suspected criminals.
The violence claimed lives in both Nairobi and Kitengela, Kajiado County. Local broadcasters KTN and Citizen TV confirmed these casualties, citing paramedics on the ground. Rescue efforts were hampered in some areas of Nairobi’s Kangemi due to barricades set up by protesters, making it difficult for emergency services to reach the wounded.
The Saba Saba protests commemorate Kenya’s 1990 pro-democracy uprising and have evolved into a mass movement against what many perceive as government corruption, economic hardship, and police brutality. Young Kenyans, especially, have taken to the streets, demanding accountability and reforms.
Witnesses reported heavy clashes in Nairobi’s Kangemi area, with gunshots heard in the morning. In Kitengela, security forces responded with live ammunition and tear gas to disperse protesters who were throwing stones.
As the situation escalates, the KNCHR warned that the death toll could rise as many injured have been hospitalized. Protests continue to spread to other urban areas, including Kibra, Mathare, and Githurai, where demonstrators have blocked roads and set fires.
The protests come at a time of growing public unrest in Kenya, fueled by the high-profile death of teacher and blogger Albert Ojwang in police custody. The incident has become a focal point for the call to hold law enforcement accountable and demand broader political and economic reforms.
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