At least two people were killed and eight others injured on Wednesday during protests in a town near Nairobi, according to a hospital official. The demonstrations were held to commemorate the one-year anniversary of widespread anti-government rallies that shook Kenya in 2024.
Julius Makau, an administrator at a hospital in Matuu — located about 100 kilometres (65 miles) from the capital — said one victim died from excessive bleeding caused by abdominal gunshot wounds. Another gunshot victim was declared dead upon arrival at a different hospital.
Details surrounding the shootings remain unclear. However, The Nation newspaper reported that police opened fire during the protests. The nationwide demonstrations marked a year since mass unrest erupted in response to worsening economic conditions — unrest that left at least 60 people dead, allegedly at the hands of security forces.
In Nairobi, AFP journalists described chaotic scenes as protesters clashed with security forces. Officers fired tear gas and rubber bullets in efforts to disperse demonstrators. Similar protests were reported in several towns and cities across the country.
At the Matuu hospital, Dr. Makau confirmed that six people had been treated for gunshot wounds, while three others were treated for various injuries. One person later died, another remains in critical condition, and the rest are reported to be in stable condition.
The renewed protests highlight growing frustration among many Kenyans over economic hardship and police violence — key grievances that continue to fuel public unrest.
