Kenya in Turmoil: Protests Erupt as Anti-Ruto Sentiment Boils Over, Leaving At Least 8 Dead and Hundreds Injured
Nairobi, Kenya — Kenya was rocked by nationwide protests on Wednesday as thousands of demonstrators took to the streets demanding the resignation of President William Ruto, marking a tense anniversary of last year’s deadly anti-government unrest.
The protests, which spanned major cities including Nairobi, Kisumu, and Mombasa, turned violent as clashes with police left at least eight people dead and over 400 injured, according to civil society groups. Amnesty Kenya placed the death toll even higher — at 16.
🔥 A Nation on Edge
Waving branches as a symbol of peace and unity, protestors chanted “Ruto must go!” and attempted to reach State House, the president’s official residence. Police responded with force, deploying barricades, razor wire, and waves of tear gas to disperse crowds.
Video from central Nairobi showed plumes of gas billowing between buildings as protesters ran for cover, their cries echoing through shuttered streets.
Despite a government ban on live media coverage, the High Court in Nairobi swiftly overturned the decision, allowing the press to resume real-time reporting.
👥 Casualties & Chaos
The Kenya Medical Association, the Law Society of Kenya, and the Police Reforms Working Group issued a joint statement confirming:
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8 confirmed deaths
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400+ injuries, including:
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83 needing specialised care
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8 with gunshot wounds
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3 injured police officers
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Many of the injured are believed to be young demonstrators and student leaders.
A young mother, Amina Mude, speaking to the BBC, voiced the sentiment of many:
“I joined the protests to fight for the future of my kids. The country isn’t heading in the right direction—especially in education. The leadership needs to listen.”
📌 Ruto Responds from Afar
Speaking not from State House, but from a funeral in Kilifi County, President Ruto urged for calm:
“Protests should not be to destroy peace in Kenya. We do not have another country to go to. It is our responsibility to keep our country safe.”
His absence from the capital was criticized by opposition voices, especially as young protestors came within blocks of breaching State House before being pushed back.
🕊️ A Year After Bloodshed, Grief Still Lingers
In a haunting moment, demonstrators laid wreaths and handwritten tributes outside parliament — a memorial to victims of last year’s protests. One young woman, draped in the Kenyan flag, held a placard with the names of those killed by security forces in 2024.
🌍 What Now?
The unrest points to deep and growing dissatisfaction with Ruto’s administration — particularly over issues of:
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Rising taxes and economic hardship
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Education funding cuts
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Police brutality and impunity
Civil society groups are now calling for an independent investigation into the use of force and urgent national dialogue.