Nairobi, Kenya – Widespread chaos erupted across major Kenyan cities on Wednesday as thousands took to the streets to mark the one-year anniversary of the June 2024 anti-government protests. Demonstrations, which began as peaceful commemorations, quickly escalated into confrontations with police in several urban centers.
In Nairobi, tensions flared as security forces used teargas to disperse crowds gathered in the city center. Among those affected was former Chief Justice David Maraga, who had joined a group of grieving mothers and relatives of victims killed during last year’s protests. Eyewitnesses reported that police moved in without warning, forcing the group to scatter.
Most businesses in the capital and other major towns remained shuttered throughout the day amid fears of violence and looting. Public transportation was also heavily disrupted, and a heavy police presence was observed across key roads and intersections.
Similar scenes played out in other cities, including Nakuru, Nyeri, Eldoret, and Kisii, where demonstrators clashed with law enforcement. Protesters demanded justice for those killed during the 2024 demonstrations and called for greater accountability from the government.
The protests mark a deepening frustration among segments of the Kenyan population over issues such as police brutality, economic inequality, and political disenfranchisement. Human rights groups have condemned what they describe as excessive use of force by police and urged the government to allow citizens to express dissent peacefully.
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