Kenya police scatter group marking deadly 2024 protests
Kenyan police used tear gas to disperse protesters in Nairobi after dozens of people took to the streets in memory of demonstrators killed in anti-government demonstrations against tax increases and the cost of living two years ago.
Organizers had planned marches to mark the second anniversary of unrest after protesters breached parliament grounds and a subsequent crackdown that resulted in at least 60 deaths, according to Kenya’s National Human Rights Commission.
A Reuters reporter saw police use tear gas to disperse people peacefully gathering at Nairobi’s main police station on Thursday after security forces detained at least six people as they laid flowers outside parliament.
Footage broadcast on Citizen TV also shows police firing tear gas on the outskirts of Nairobi.
Dozens of marchers in Mombasa had previously been escorted by security forces.
However, in the capital, shops and restaurants in the central business district remained closed as police set up barricades with water cannon trucks and cordoned off the parliament with barbed wire.
Opposition leaders joined victims of alleged police brutality and families of slain protesters heading to parliament.
Edith Wanjiku, whose 19-year-old son Ibrahim Kamau was killed in 2024, said, “As parents, we asked for permission to come here to mourn and leave flowers for our children. But when we arrived, we were shocked because the police prevented us.”
“This is so embarrassing.”
“And there is one thing I would like to ask from President (William) Ruto: Police officers who kill children – as it is known – I just want justice for those children and also compensation.”
Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen said anyone who wanted to “engage in chaos, loot, destroy property, disrupt business or commit other criminal acts” would be dealt with harshly.
Protest organizers say they want credible investigations into past police conduct and guarantees against excessive use of force.
Ruto acknowledged “instances of excessive and extrajudicial actions by members of the security services” and said two billion shillings ($22 million) had been set aside for victims of protest-related abuses.
But non-governmental organizations want more.
“Every time there is a protest, innocent Kenyans are killed. Because these killer police officers are not arrested. They are not held accountable,” said activist Hussein Khalid.
“We will continue to press for justice… they will not be able to deceive us with money.”
