Clashes intensify across the country as Gen Z marks one year since the 2024 anti-tax unrest
A somber cloud is once again hanging over Kenya after at least six people lost their lives during the nationwide protests held to mark the first anniversary of the 2024 anti-Finance Bill demonstrations. Confirmations from hospitals and eyewitnesses painted a grim picture of a country once again deep in mourning.
Julius Makau, a hospital official from Matuu Sub-County, reported two deaths linked to gunshot wounds. One victim died due to excessive bleeding from abdominal injuries. Another had already succumbed by the time medics arrived at a different facility.
Nairobi Turns into a War Zone
In Nairobi, the heart of the chaos, clashes broke out between Gen Z protesters and police, especially near the CBD. More than 50 people have been confirmed injured. Teargas, water cannons, and smoke filled the air as crowds surged through barricades.
In some spots, officers were forced to retreat after being overwhelmed by the determined crowds. A suspected plainclothes officer caught by demonstrators added fuel to the fire, with the crowd roughing him up before being dispersed.
At Kenyatta National Hospital, medics worked around the clock as injured individuals poured in. Though the full number of gunshot victims was unclear, reports from across the country pointed to a rising casualty count.
This latest round of unrest is happening exactly one year after the 2024 protests, which were marked by dozens of deaths. The reasons remain familiar—police brutality, economic frustration, and a push for reforms.
With violence now reported in several counties, tension is mounting. The streets remain volatile, tear gas is still thick in the air, and both protesters and security agencies are holding their ground. The fear now is how many more lives might be lost before calm is restored.
