SEVERAL INJURED DURING NATIONWIDE PROTESTS TODAY

A protester has been shot today in Nairobi as nationwide demonstrations, commemorating last year’s anti-Finance Bill protests, intensify in the capital. The incident occurred near the Central Business District, where hundreds of people had gathered since morning to commemorate the Gen Z led protests that erupted last year which were notable for their deadly clashes with police.

Eyewitnesses reported that the situation turned chaotic when police attempted to disperse the crowd. The anti-riot police officers surrounded a group of protesters before they started shooting. Amid the confusion, the protester was shot in the head and collapsed as others fled for safety. Bystanders quickly came to the victim’s aid, and he was later seen being carried into and ambulance before being rushed to Kenyatta National Hospital for treatment.

A female police officer has also suffered a serious head injury in Banda street while attempting to flee after protestors started throwing stones at a group of police officers. With the protestors nearly catching up to her, she tripped and fell on the ground, after which protestors appeared to jump on her and continue the attack. She was rushed to Kenyatta National Hospital where she is receiving treatment.

In Machakos County, one person has been killed and seven others injured after an ugly clash between police officers and protestors in Matuu. The deceased was hit by a police bullet as he attempted to storm into Matuu police station. The seven injured have been rushed to Matuu Level Four hospital for emergency treatment and sustaining gunshot wounds.

Roads leading to CBD and around parliament and statehouse were heavily barricaded with razor wire as police moved to restrict vehicle access and monitor growing crowds. Security forces deployed tear gas and water cannons to disperse demonstrators who had gathered in defiance of tightened restrictions. The Communications Authority issued a directive for TV and radio stations to halt live coverage of the protests but Standard Media Group has defied the orders. It has stated that it will continue airing the protests on KTN and all their radio stations.