Protesters converge against police brutality and government corruption to commemorate last year’s youth-led protests.
At least eight (8) people lost their lives during rallies across Kenya held against police brutality and government corruption, the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights has said in a statement.
On Wednesday, the national rights watchdog said, another 400 people were injured; the injured include, journalists, demonstrators and police personnel.
The casualties included people struck by live fire, and others who sustained wounds by being beaten or shot rubber bullets; the casualties were mainly in Nairobi, the Kenyan Capital.
Protesters had clashed with police, who used tear gas canisters and wielded batons. The demonstrations mark one year since people invaded parliament at the peak of antigovernment protests.
People in thousands gathered in the streets to commemorate last year’s demonstrations led by the country’s youth against tax rises, during which at least sixty (60) people were killed by security forces, according to rights groups.
Within the crowds in Nairobi, some raised Kenyan flags and banners with photos of demonstrators killed last year and chanted “Ruto must go”, referring to President William Ruto, whose proposed tax hikes ignited last year’s youth-led protests.
Reports say that, protesters also converged in various parts of the country, including in the town of Matuu, around 100km (62 miles) from the capital, where there were clashes.
Police hindered main roads that lead into the capital’s central business district, while government buildings were barricaded with razor wire.
The government issued an order to TV and radio stations to stop live coverage of the protests.
