At least 31 individuals were reported dead and more than 100 others injured in widespread protests across Kenya on Monday, ignited by growing discontent towards President William Ruto’s government. According to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, the violence marked a crucial tipping point with detailed reports indicating at least 532 arrests and two cases of enforced disappearances since the unrest began.
In a responsive crackdown, law enforcement deployed live ammunition, tear gas, and water cannons against protestors, who engaged in clashes across various cities. During the protests, officers were seen launching tear gas canisters from deserted overpasses in Nairobi, while some demonstrators retaliated by throwing rocks. The protests coincided with Saba Saba Day, a symbolic date in Kenya that celebrates the advent of multiparty democracy, commemorating the first pro-democracy rallies held in 1990.
The streets leading into Nairobi's central business district were heavily barricaded by armed police, rendering the normally bustling area almost deserted. Only a few determined activists managed to reach the area on foot to express their grievances, highlighting the tension between authorities and citizens striving for political reform. The scale and ferocity of the demonstrations reflect a deep-seated frustration within the populace towards the current administration, demanding urgent attention and action.
