Chaos in Kenya: Teargas, Live Rounds As Youth Mark Protest Anniversary

Kenyan police fired teargas, water cannons, and even live ammunition on Wednesday as thousands of protesters took to the streets across the country, marking the one-year anniversary of deadly anti-government demonstrations.

The youth-led protests erupted in Nairobi, Mombasa, and several towns nationwide, reigniting anger over police brutality, economic hardship, and government repression. Roads leading to Parliament and the president’s office in the capital were barricaded ahead of the demonstrations, mirroring the tense scenes from June 2024, when dozens were killed by security forces during similar protests.

Despite the largely peaceful nature of the march, police cracked down harshly. CNN witnessed officers firing live rounds to disperse demonstrators in Nairobi, with protesters displaying spent cartridges as evidence. Teargas clouds and water cannon trucks filled the streets, evoking memories of last year’s violent clashes.

Tragically, one person was reportedly killed in Machakos County in eastern Kenya, although CNN has yet to independently confirm the death. Several injuries were recorded, and Citizen TV shared footage of wounded individuals being wheeled into hospitals in Nairobi.

The protests have sparked renewed outrage over alleged police abuses, including the recent death of a teacher in custody and the fatal shooting of an unarmed street vendor.

In a controversial move, the Communications Authority of Kenya ordered all TV and radio stations to halt live coverage of the protests, falsely claiming it violated Kenyan law. The directive threatened sanctions for non-compliance, but several broadcasters—including CNN affiliate Citizen TV—continued their coverage.

Protesters say their anger is far from over, despite the government's retreat last year on a deeply unpopular finance bill that would have imposed harsh tax increases.

For many young Kenyans, the anniversary is not just a remembrance of lives lost—but a renewed call for justice and reform.