Police shoot one, injure scores of protesting youth

Demonstrators walk along Nyeri's Kenyatta Highway during the anti-Finance Bill demos in Nyeri, June 25, 2024. [Mose Sammy, Standard]

At least one person was shot while scores sustained injuries as the police battled protesters in various towns in Nyanza and Western regions.

In Kisumu, protesters thronged the city’s streets as early as 8am, bringing all business activities to a standstill.

At least 20 people who sustained injuries were treated at a makeshift rescue centre at Grace Onyango Social Hall.

Four of the victims were referred to Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital for specialised treatment.

Protesters chanted ‘Yote yawezekana bila Ruto’ as they marched along Oginga Odinga Street in Kisumu.

In Migori County, protestors took to the streets as early as 6am, with the Migori-Isebania highway being blocked with stones and bonfires.

Protestors from Awendo, Suna West, Suna East, Nyatike, Kuria East and Kuria West joined the protests while carrying placards and chanting “Ruto must go”.

They accused the president of making life hard for Kenyans.

Kevin Omondi, a local resident, said as Gen Z, they have nothing to lose because life has become so hard.

In Kisii, a private vehicle belonging to the Kisii County Assembly Minority Whip Bouse Mairura was damaged early yesterday.

Protestors stormed the Kisii County Woman Rep Dorice Donya’s office and vandalised the newly constructed Gender Rescue Centre.

In Mt Kenya, businesses were closed after police officers and protesters engaged in running battles across major towns.

Protestors made their way through Nyeri town chanting ‘Reject Finance Bill 2024 and ‘Ruto must go’ slogans.

Protests were peaceful in the morning but degenerated into confrontations as the youth blockaded a supermarket associated with a local MP who voted yes for the Bill.

Police were forced to fire tear gas in an attempt to disperse the protestors.

However, the youth regrouped and lit tyres and plastic tanks forcing the police to start shooting rubber bullets at protestors.

In Muranga County, hundreds of the youth poured into the streets of Murang’a town chanting anti-Finance Bill slogans.

Led by Morris Githui, the youthful protestors said they would not be intimidated by the government.

Hundreds of youth protested in Isiolo town against the Finance Bill terming it punitive.

In Meru, youth held a peaceful protest. In Kirinyaga County, protestors barricaded Nairobi-Nyeri highway at Sagana town.

In Kutus town, demonstrators said they stand in solidarity with the abducted protestors urging their abductors to release them.

In Kakamega, police engaged protesters in running battles. A woman was shot outside Kamamega County headquarters and was rushed to a local hospital.

And in Vihiga County, youths led by comedian Awinja led the Gen Z demos at Luanda town.

In Busia County, youth marched from Korinda to Busia town protesting against the Bill while in Bungoma town, rowdy youth vandalised infrastructure along Senator Wetang’ula Road.

[Reports by Olivia Odhiambo, Anne Atieno, Eric Abuga, Sharon Owino, Clinton Ambujo, Benard Lusigi, Mary Imenza, Jesse Sikali, Juliet Omelo, Phares Mutembei, Amos Kiarie, Purity Mwangi, Jane Mugambi, Bruno Mutunga and Boniface Gikandi]