Kenya Police Clash Nationwide Protesters Leave Over 10 Dead

On July 7, 2025, Kenya marked the 35th anniversary of the Saba Saba pro-democracy protests with widespread demonstrations against President William Ruto’s government, demanding his resignation amid allegations of corruption, police brutality, and economic hardship. In Nairobi, police deployed tear gas, water cannons, and live rounds to disperse protesters, blocking main roads and barricading access to the presidential office and Parliament with razor wire, resulting in at least one death and multiple injuries. The protests, which occurred in multiple counties, escalated into clashes involving stone-throwing and bonfires, with reports of police firing on demonstrators and at least one protester severely wounded. Human rights organizations condemned the government's violent crackdown and called for accountability, especially after armed individuals reportedly sent by the state disrupted a human rights press conference. Despite government efforts to maintain order and prevent disruption of public services, the unrest highlighted deepening public discontent over governance, extrajudicial violence, and the stifling of dissent in Kenya. Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen emphasized security agencies' readiness to act decisively against elements causing havoc, while protesters vowed to continue their resistance.