On June 25th, Kenya exploded in large-scale violence. Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets in cities, such as Nairobi and Mombasa. Those protests, arguably in honor of their own one-year anniversary commemorating last year’s series of anti-tax protests, turned fatal with a tragic toll. According to Amnesty International Kenya, 16 people were killed in the protests, and nearly 400 more were injured.
The protests spread across dozens of cities and towns in the country, shining a spotlight on the popular discontent with government policy. Participants made clear their displeasure with the latest round of tax increases. They demanded justice for police brutality, especially after the death of Albert Ojwang—a teacher who died in police custody. The Kenya Medical Association confirmed that at least 83 individuals suffered serious injuries during the protests, with some requiring treatment for gunshot wounds.
In response to the protests, government officials abruptly banned live media coverage. They claimed that this step was necessary to enforce Kenyan legislation. The Communications Authority warned that regulatory action would be taken against media outlets that did not comply with this directive. Other Kenyan media outlets experienced a temporary suspension for going against the government’s directive. They were soon back on air after the ban was suspended by a Nairobi court. This maneuver received widespread condemnation from civil society organizations.
The Kenya Editors’ Guild condemned the government’s actions as “draconian.” They claimed that the ban suppressed freedom of expression and transparency. Civil society organizations, including Amnesty Kenya, condemned the ban as unconstitutional.
“Excessive force and human rights violations by ensuring that actions are witnessed and recorded, thus fostering accountability,” – joint statement from Amnesty Kenya and other groups.
As unrest began to mount, security forces began using tear gas and water cannons to break up crowds across Nairobi. These heavy-handed tactics only stoked the backlash, forcing protesters and police into even greater contention. The protests were a reaction to recent police violence and the government’s response to dissent.
So far in 2024, protests had already forced the government to pull a controversial finance bill that would have increased taxes. This landscape of discontent brought thousands out to protest to the latest demonstrations, shedding light on long-simmering frustrations with governance and accountability.
