Nairobi, Kenya – July 2025
Tensions boiled over in Kenya this week as nationwide antigovernment protests turned deadly, leaving at least two civilians dead after police opened fire on demonstrators.
The protests, largely driven by youth groups and civil rights organizations, erupted over rising living costs, increased taxation, and alleged government corruption. The latest wave of unrest was sparked by the proposed Finance Bill, which critics argue disproportionately affects low-income citizens while benefiting political elites.
According to a senior government official, two people were killed in Nairobi’s Mathare neighborhood when police fired live rounds to disperse a crowd that had blocked roads and burned tires. Videos circulating on social media show panicked protesters fleeing as gunshots ring out.
"These were peaceful demonstrations until the police showed up with bullets," said 26-year-old activist Njeri W., who witnessed the shootings. “We came with placards. They came with guns.”
Human rights watchdogs have condemned the police response, calling for immediate investigations and accountability. The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) released a statement decrying the use of excessive force.
"The right to peaceful protest is enshrined in our Constitution," the statement read. "Killing unarmed demonstrators is an abuse of that right and cannot be tolerated."
The government, however, has defended the police, with Interior Ministry officials stating that some demonstrations had turned violent and posed threats to public safety.
As of now, protests continue in parts of Nairobi, Kisumu, and Mombasa, with youth leaders calling for mass mobilization and a general strike.
This latest bloodshed has reignited debates about police brutality in Kenya and the shrinking space for dissent in East Africa’s most robust economy.
“We’re not just protesting the bill,” said university student Eric Odhiambo. “We’re protesting a system that kills us for speaking up.”
International observers and regional blocs like the African Union have urged calm and urged Kenyan authorities to respect human rights. Whether the government will heed the calls remains uncertain as more protests are planned for the coming days.