At least 56 protesters were hospitalized—most with bullet wounds—after violent clashes erupted during anti-government demonstrations across Kenya on Wednesday. The protests marked one year since deadly tax bill rallies that left 60 dead in 2023, with crowds in Nairobi attempting to march toward State House before police deployed tear gas and water cannons. Kenyatta National Hospital confirmed receiving dozens injured by rubber bullets, though no fatalities were reported. The unrest spread to Mombasa, Kikuyu, and Nyeri, where protesters burned a courthouse and clashed with security forces.
Media Blackout as Broadcasters Defy Government Censorship
The Communications Authority of Kenya ordered local networks to halt live protest coverage, prompting condemnation from the Kenya Editors Guild as unconstitutional. Major outlets like NTV and KTN were pulled off-air but continued streaming on YouTube and social media, where footage showed police firing at crowds near parliament. The censorship echoes tactics used during 2023’s deadly crackdown, which triggered international outrage and became the biggest crisis of President William Ruto’s administration.
Unresolved Grievances Fuel New Wave of Demonstrations
While Ruto withdrew 2023’s tax hikes under pressure, public fury persists over police brutality and unexplained disappearances of activists. The recent custody death of blogger Albert Ojwang—which led to murder charges against three officers—reignited demands for accountability. “We want justice for those killed last June,” protester Lumumba Harmony told Reuters, as crowds chanted against impunity for security forces
