At least 16 people have been confirmed dead and thousands of businesses left in ruins following a day of violent protests across major cities in Kenya.
What began as a nationwide demonstration to mark the anniversary of last year’s anti-tax protests quickly spiraled into chaos on Tuesday, with security forces clashing with demonstrators in several counties including Nairobi, Kisumu, Nakuru, and Mombasa. Hospitals and human rights groups report over 400 injuries, most caused by gunshots allegedly fired by police.
Shops, banks, malls, and roadside stalls in central Nairobi and other commercial hubs were ransacked and set ablaze. Looting and arson spread rapidly across markets such as Sunbeam Complex and Cianda Market, with traders seen desperately trying to salvage what remained of their goods.
“I have lost everything,” said Mary Wanjiku, a stall owner in Nairobi’s CBD. “My business was my only source of income. Now, I don’t know where to begin.”
Security agencies defended their use of force, stating that officers acted to prevent what they called “acts of domestic terrorism.” Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen blamed political incitement and accused protest organizers of hiding behind civil unrest to destabilize the country.
But rights groups disagree. Amnesty International Kenya and the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights condemned the police response, calling for immediate investigations into the use of live ammunition on protesters. “This level of force is unacceptable in any democratic society,” Amnesty said in a joint statement.
The protests were further fueled by public outrage over the recent death of a popular blogger, Albert Ojwang, while in police custody an incident that has reignited long-standing tensions between citizens and law enforcement.
As the sun rose on Wednesday, the aftermath was visible: charred remains of buildings, shattered glass across city streets, and citizens sweeping through the rubble. The economic toll is yet to be fully assessed, but early estimates point to millions of dollars in losses.
Despite the destruction, civic groups are urging the government to listen to the frustrations voiced by citizens. “We are not just mourning lives lost—we are mourning lost trust,” said a statement by the Civil Society Coalition for Justice.
The government has pledged to restore order and announced plans for compensation in severely affected areas. However, many Kenyans remain skeptical, demanding more than promises they want reform.
