Several protesters sustained injuries after protests in Matuu, Machakos County, turned violent on Wednesday, June 25.
The demonstrations in Matuu took an unfortunate turn after police resorted to using live bullets to repel a crowd which was reportedly attempting to infiltrate a police station.
According to witnesses, a group of protesters, mostly young people, made their way to Matuu Police Station, where they embarked on a vandalism spree.
Images of the scene painted a grim picture, showing severe damage to the police station's facilities caused by the irate protesters.
One witness, a bodabdoa rider, recounted hearing gunshots amid the protests, followed by a running group of protesters. From the ensuing melee, several protesters sustained gunshot wounds and were rushed to nearby health facilities, including the Matuu Level 4 Hospital.
Confirming the incident, the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) accused law enforcers of deliberately targeting protesters.
"Police in Matuu, Machakos, have opened fire on peaceful protesters, leaving one person dead and eight others injured. The group was demanding justice for Kenyans killed during the 2024 Gen Z protests," KHRC said in its statement.
"Seven individuals sustained serious injuries—three are receiving care at a private clinic, while four have been admitted to Matuu Level 4 Hospital."
The Matuu protests were mirrored in several different cities across the country as hundreds turned out to commemorate those who died during the anti-Finance bill protests in June 2024.
In the Nairobi CBD, most major avenues turned into a battleground between protesters and law enforcers for a better part of Wednesday.
In Nairobi, five protesters sustained injuries from the demonstrations, with two rushed to Kenyatta National Hospital in critical condition.
Similar violence was witnessed in Narok County, where protesters hurled projectiles at police officers as they blocked major roads using stones and bonfires.
In the wake of the protests which have rocked several parts of the city, the National Police Service Commission (NPSC) issued a plea to demonstrators, urging them to maintain order.
"You have the right to express yourselves peacefully and lawfully. We urge you to conduct demonstrations in a manner that upholds dignity, avoids violence and respects the lives, property and freedoms of fellow residents," the NPSC's statement read.
