Nine Killed, 400 Injured as Protests Rock 27 Kenyan Counties

Kenya is gripped by widespread unrest as citizens mark the one-year anniversary of the youth-led occupation of Parliament on 25 June 2024. 

Nationwide protests, spanning at least 27 counties, have resulted in at least nine fatalities and hundreds of injuries, reigniting concerns about state accountability and the use of force. The demonstrations, largely organised and mobilised through social media, began as a day of remembrance but swiftly escalated into violent confrontations between protesters and law enforcement. 

The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) confirms that eight deaths resulted from gunshot wounds sustained in Machakos, Makueni, Kiambu, Nakuru, and Nyandarua counties. Dr Raymond Nyeris, the commission's vice chairperson, says that more than 400 casualties, encompassing demonstrators, police officers, and journalists, have been reported. 

While most received treatment and have been discharged, 83 required specialised medical attention. The KNCHR is citing widespread and disproportionate use of force by authorities, including rubber bullets, water cannons, and live ammunition. The death toll rose following the fatal shooting of a security guard in Nairobi. Mr Fred Wamale Wanyonyi, an employee of Hatari Security, was killed during clashes near Stima Plaza, the headquarters of Kenya Power. 

Kenya Power confirmed the incident in a statement, noting that Wanyonyi was shot at their Kolobot Road entrance and pronounced dead on arrival at Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital. Medical facilities are struggling to manage the influx of casualties. Kenyatta National Hospital reports that it received 90 injured individuals, including those with gunshot wounds. A hospital medic anticipates that the number of casualties is likely to increase, suggesting that the reported injuries may underestimate the full extent of harm.

Makueni and Machakos counties are proving to be particularly volatile. At Kilome Nursing Home in Emali, two protesters died from chest wounds sustained from gunfire, according to Dr Stan Mulei. In Matuu, one protester succumbed to abdominal wounds, while three others remain in critical condition. Julius Makau, administrator at Matuu Sub-County Hospital, confirms that six patients have gunshot wounds, with three in critical condition.

These casualties follow attempts by protesters to storm police installations, prompting the deployment of the Border Police Unit alongside anti-riot officers. Demonstrators, many of whom are young, previously barricaded key roads such as the Mombasa-Nairobi highway and the Thika-Garissa road, causing severe transport disruptions. Tensions escalated in Nyandarua County, with a protester shot near Ol Kalou Police Station. A mob retaliated by setting fire to the Assistant County Commissioner's office, destroying vehicles and public records. 

Michael Migua, an eyewitness, reports that the protester was unarmed, carrying only a Kenyan flag. In Nyahururu, reports suggest the infiltration of armed gangs into the demonstrations exacerbated the unrest, leading to further injuries and disorder. Hospitals in other regions also report treating protest-related injuries. 

The geographic reach of the protests, extending to Lamu, Kisumu, Narok, and Taita-Taveta, reflects the depth of public sentiment. Demonstrators are demanding justice for the 60 people killed during last year's anti-government protests. The mass mobilisation has amplified online, with hashtags such as #SiriNiNumbers and #OccupyStatehouse2025 trending. The former has trended fourth globally, with 7.7 million tweets in just six hours.

Rights groups, including the Law Society of Kenya and the Kenya Medical Association, warn that the current fatality figures may only represent a fraction of the total toll. In a joint statement, the bodies caution that the exact figures may only be known over time, despite confirmations from medics and human rights defenders.