Two protesters were shot dead and at least eight others injured in Matuu, Makueni County, during Wednesday’s nationwide demonstrations commemorating last year’s deadly anti-government protests. The incident marked one of the most violent flashpoints in a day filled with tension across Kenya.
What Happened in Makueni County?
According to Julius Makau, an administrator at a hospital in Matuu, one protester died from excessive bleeding caused by abdominal gunshot wounds.
“One had abdominal gunshot wounds and died from excessive bleeding. We got an alert of another gunshot victim at another hospital, but on arrival, we found that the patient had already succumbed,” Makau said.
While the exact circumstances leading to the gunshots were unclear, The Nation newspaper reported that police officers had opened fire during the protests. This account, however, had not been officially confirmed at the time of reporting.
Makau further revealed that his hospital received a total of nine injured individuals, six with gunshot wounds and three others with various injuries. One of the gunshot victims remained in critical condition, while the rest were reported to be stable.
What Was the Purpose of the Protests?
The demonstrations were held to mark the first anniversary of the June 2024 protests, which were fueled by widespread anger over economic hardship and rising taxes. At least 60 people were killed by security forces during the original protests, triggering national and international outrage.
How Did Other Parts of the Country React?
In Nairobi, AFP journalists witnessed running battles between demonstrators and police. Officers used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse crowds in the capital’s central business district and surrounding neighborhoods.
Similar demonstrations were also reported in towns and cities across Kenya, with citizens turning out in large numbers to voice frustrations over police brutality, economic stagnation, and a lack of justice for those killed during previous protests.
The government had earlier warned protesters to stay within the bounds of peaceful assembly, while also ramping up security and restricting media coverage of the events. Despite this, demonstrators pressed forward, citing a continued lack of accountability for state violence and corruption.
By Lucky Anyanje
