Already a subscriber? Make sure to log into your account before viewing this content. You can access your account by hitting the “login” button on the top right corner. Still unable to see the content after signing in? Make sure your card on file is up-to-date.

Authorities in Kenya have confirmed that at least 11 people were killed during nationwide protests.

Some shit you should know before you read: If you’re unaware, Kenya has been experiencing a sustained wave of anti-government protests since 2023, largely driven by widespread frustration over economic hardship, government corruption, and police brutality. The demonstrations initially erupted in response to a controversial finance bill that proposed significant tax hikes amid a worsening cost-of-living crisis. Although the bill was later withdrawn, public anger persisted and evolved into a broader movement demanding transparency, accountability, and reforms across multiple sectors. Protesters (many of them young people) have accused the government of using excessive force, including unlawful detentions, abductions, and extrajudicial killings. To the contrary, Kenyan authorities have defended their actions, stating that law enforcement is working to maintain public order and prevent criminal elements from hijacking otherwise peaceful demonstrations.

What’s going on now: In a notable development, Kenyan authorities have confirmed that at least 11 people were killed and dozens more injured during the latest round of anti-government protests held on July 7, coinciding with the 35th anniversary of the historic Saba Saba pro-democracy movement. The demonstrations erupted across at least 19 of the country’s 47 counties, including in Nairobi. Protesters lit fires, attempted to breach heavily barricaded areas in central Nairobi, and created roadblocks. In some regions, looting and property destruction were reported, with one shopping center set on fire.

Violent clashes between protesters and police escalated throughout the day, with security forces using tear gas, water cannons, and live ammunition to disperse crowds. The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) stated that at least 29 people were injured, and 37 were arrested nationwide. The organization also accused police of collaborating with armed criminal gangs to suppress the protests and abducting at least two individuals.

The government has dismissed allegations of excessive force and instead argues that they’re committed to maintaining law and order. Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen stated that security agencies were “on high alert” to deal with what he described as criminals seeking to hijack peaceful demonstrations. He and other officials have framed the protests as attempts to incite chaos and undermine state stability, with Murkomen previously calling similar unrest “terrorism disguised as dissent.”