At least 31 individuals have lost their lives, and over 100 have been injured in nationwide protests that erupted on Monday across Kenya, as anger against President William Ruto's administration exploded into violence. According to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, the unrest also led to at least 532 arrests and two reported forced disappearances.
Police responded to the protests with live ammunition, rubber bullets, tear gas, and water cannons, targeting demonstrators in various locations. In Nairobi, law enforcement utilized tear gas from elevated overpasses to disperse gatherings of protestors below. While some demonstrators retaliated by throwing rocks, others engaged in dancing amid the chaos.
The protests coincided with Saba Saba Day, a significant date in Kenyan history marking the onset of the country's movement toward multiparty democracy in 1990. The term "Saba Saba," meaning "Seven Seven" in Swahili, refers to the initial pro-democracy rallies held in Nairobi.
In a significant display of force, armed police set up barricades and blocked major routes leading to Nairobi's central business district, resulting in eerily quiet streets typically bustling with activity, now only punctuated by a select group of determined protestors traveling on foot. The government's crackdown on dissenting voices continues to intensify, highlighting the growing divide and unrest within the nation.
