Kenya is in the grip of an unprecedented anti-government movement led by the country’s youth. On Tuesday 25 June, hundreds of demonstrators broke through a police roadblock

The Kenyan police opened fire with live ammunition on demonstrators opposed to new government taxes, according to Amnesty International Kenya, which reported “numerous injuries”. The NGO Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) reports that one person was killed.

“Four demonstrators were hit by police fire, one of whom died”, said the KHRC in a message on X, strongly condemning this act as unacceptable and a serious violation of human rights. AFP journalists observed at least three unconscious bodies near Parliament.

Fire at Parliament

In addition, demonstrators entered the parliament building in Nairobi, where a fire broke out, as observed by AFP on the spot.

“Despite assurances from the Kenyan government that the right to assembly would be respected, human rights observers are reporting increased use of live ammunition by the national police in the capital Nairobi,” said Irungu Houghton, Executive Director of Amnesty International Kenya. “It is now crucial that doctors have safe access to the many injured to provide treatment.”