At least eight people were killed and hundreds were injured when Kenyan protesters fought with police

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At least eight people were killed and hundreds were injured when Kenyan protesters fought with police

On a day of protests against William Ruto’s government in Kenya, thousands of people were killed and 400 injured in the streets.

Police clashed with protesters in the capital Nairobi and other cities, in a year, compared to the deadly wave of anti-government demonstrations that hit the country in 2024.

Many of the people who manifest as “ruto must go”, waving branches, are symbols of peaceful opposition to his rule.

The government banned live television and broadcast reports of protests, but its decree was overturned by the High Court in the capital Nairobi.

Ruto urged protesters not to threaten peace and stability as the crowd tried to reach his official residence but was pushed down by police.

“Protests should not undermine the peace in Kenya. When things go wrong, we have no other country to go. It is our responsibility to ensure our national security.”

The president speaks at a funeral in the coastal county of Kilibe.

He was absent from his official residence as young protesters threatened to attack violently.

Police use roadblocks and razors to block major roads, especially those leading to the state and parliament.

Authorities have not given any casualties from the protests Wednesday, but the Kenya Medical Association, Kenya Bar Association and the Police Reform Task Force said in a joint statement that at least eight protesters were killed.

Of the 400 injured, 83 need “professional treatment”, and 8 of them were injured. The statement added that the injured included three policemen.

Human rights groups – Amnesty Kenya – bringing the death toll up to 16.

An protester Amina Mude told the BBC that she joined the protests “fight for the future of my children.”

“I feel like we are not moving in the right direction as a country, especially with education and everything happening.

“I think it’s time for the country and the leadership to listen to us.”

In Nairobi, video footage shows white tear gas drifting between buildings, causing protesters to scramble to cover, cough and cover their eyes.

In the heart of the city, protesters marched past closed shops and empty streets.

The fences around the parliament were covered with wreaths and handwritten notes from sad families and provocative young people, a reminder of the turmoil at the site last year.

A young woman draped on a Kenyan flag, holding a poster with the name of the person killed by security forces a year ago as they tried to end the protests.