16 Killed in Kenya During Protests Marking Anniversary of Anti-Finance Bill Uprising
At least 16 people were killed across Kenya on Wednesday as nationwide protests commemorating last year’s anti-finance bill demonstrations turned deadly, with most victims reportedly shot by police.
The protests, held to mark the one-year anniversary of a mass uprising against a controversial tax bill, saw thousands pour into the streets in cities including Nairobi. In 2023, more than 60 people were killed during similar protests that ended with demonstrators storming parliament.
This year’s protests were again met with a forceful police response. According to Amnesty International Kenya, the death toll had risen to 16 by 8:30 p.m. local time, with five of the victims confirmed to have died from gunshot wounds.
“Most were killed by police,” said Irungu Houghton, executive director of Amnesty Kenya, citing joint verification by the rights group and the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR).
KNCHR earlier reported eight deaths, all allegedly caused by gunshots, and said more than 400 people had been injured — including demonstrators, police officers, and journalists. The agency also documented widespread use of rubber bullets, live ammunition, and water cannons.
At Kenyatta National Hospital in Nairobi, a senior official said 107 people had been admitted, “most with gunshot injuries.”
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), a state-funded watchdog, confirmed that at least 61 people were arrested during the demonstrations.
Despite mounting criticism from rights bodies, the Kenyan police have not officially commented on the casualties. Spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga declined to respond to inquiries from journalists.
The protests underscore growing public frustration over economic policies and the government’s handling of dissent — a tension that remains unresolved since last year’s bloodshed.
