At least 300 wounded in violent Nairobi protests

 

At least 300 people were wounded during protests in Kenya’s capital yesterday, with 67 in critical condition and evacuated to Kenyatta National Hospital, a multi-agency emergency response official told AFP. Injuries included suspected gunshot wounds and blunt trauma as security forces clashed with demonstrators.

The demonstrations, marking the first anniversary of last year’s finance bill protests, escalated into clashes over police brutality and rising living costs. The Guardian reports that while official fatality figures vary, reports indicate at least eight people were killed and hundreds more injured nationwide during coordinated actions in cities including Nairobi, Mombasa, and Kisumu.

Ambulance in Nairobi. Photo X

Organised largely via social media, the youth-led protests saw roads barricaded and a temporary media blackout imposed by authorities. Demonstrators demanded accountability for recent custodial deaths and called for President William Ruto’s resignation, accusing his government of corruption and mismanagement.

Kenya’s Red Cross and other agencies set up triage centres across Nairobi to treat the injured, while police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse crowds. The government has urged calm and vowed investigations into excessive force allegations.