At least eight people have been officially confirmed dead following the June 25 nationwide protests, which were held to honour those who lost their lives during last year’s anti-Finance Bill demonstrations.
The protests quickly spread across multiple counties, with several incidents of police violence reported throughout the day.
The first known fatality this year occurred in Matuu, Machakos County. A protester was shot dead when police officers opened fire on a group of demonstrators who were reportedly trying to force their way into a police station.
According to the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), eight other people were injured in the same incident.
In Nairobi, tragedy struck when a security guard working at Kenya Power’s Stima Plaza headquarters was shot at around 4:30 p.m. while on duty.
Although he was rushed to a nearby hospital, he was declared dead upon arrival. Kenya Power released a statement confirming the death and stated that it had started working with relevant authorities to investigate the incident.
The fact that the guard was not part of the protests and was simply doing his job angered many Kenyans. His image was widely shared online, fueling public outrage.
Two more deaths were reported in the capital by the Mukuru Community Justice Centre. The centre claimed that police officers from Villa Police Station shot and killed a young man and a child as they tried to disperse a crowd in the Mukuru Kwa Njenga area. Witnesses described the scenes as chaotic and disturbing.
Another life was reportedly lost in Pipeline, Embakasi. Videos shared on social media showed a man lying motionless on the road after being shot.
While authorities have not officially confirmed his death, eyewitnesses at the scene were convinced he was among those killed in the demonstrations.
In Nakuru County, a high school student who had joined the protest was tragically shot dead by police as they attempted to disperse the crowd. The shooting triggered panic, with four other people injured during the chaos. Two of the injured were said to be in critical condition and were rushed to hospital for emergency treatment.
On Thika Road, another violent incident occurred at Mountain Mall in Roasters area, where a man was shot. The shooting led to a chaotic looting spree at the Naivas Supermarket located within the mall. The identity of the victim remains unclear.
In Juja, photos circulated online showing a protester moments before being shot in the head. He was seen bleeding on the ground, surrounded by other demonstrators. The disturbing images added to the growing calls for police accountability.
The KHRC later confirmed that at least 20 people were shot during the June 25 protests, with eight confirmed dead. The organization also reported that over 400 people sought treatment for various injuries, most of them not caused by gunshots.
However, there are conflicting reports on the actual death toll. Some sources claim that the number of fatalities may have risen to 11. President William Ruto’s economic advisor, Moses Kuria, went on record stating that four people were killed in Nyeri County.
Other unverified reports suggest there were additional deaths in different locations: two in Matuu, two in Emali, and one each in Embakasi, Juja, Kikuyu, Molo, Olkalou, and Ngara.
As investigations continue, human rights groups and civil society are calling for accountability and justice for those who lost their lives or were injured during the protests.
The growing number of casualties has reignited public anger over police brutality and the government’s handling of peaceful demonstrations.
Join Gen Z New WhatsApp Channel #JusticeforAlbertOjwang To Stay Updated On time
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaWT5gSGufImU8R0DO30
