Death, violence, and looting in Rift Valley as protesters take to the streets

Protesters light a bonfire in Nanyuki town on June 25, 2025. [Boniface Gikandi, Standard] What began as peaceful commemorations for victims of the June 25, 2024, Generation Z protests turned violent, leading to clashes between police and youths in several Rift Valley counties. In Nyandarua County, a man was reportedly shot dead, while in Molo, a teenager also lost his life in similar circumstances. Following the incident in Nyandarua, enraged protesters torched the Ol Kalou Police Station. The Nyandarua victim, said to be in his early twenties, was pronounced dead on arrival at JM Kariuki Hospital. Eyewitnesses claimed he was shot in the chest at close range by a police officer. "We were with him during the peaceful protests when the officer shot him. We rushed him to the hospital, where we were informed that he had succumbed to his injuries," said James Macharia. Efforts to reach Nyandarua County Commissioner Jardesa Abdirisack for confirmation were unsuccessful. In Nyahururu town, two individuals were hospitalized with serious gunshot wounds, one shot in the shoulder, the other in the buttocks. In Narok County, three young people sustained gunshot injuries, while in Nakuru County, a journalist was injured after being hit by a teargas canister. Police in Molo had yet to confirm the death of the 17-year-old, but eyewitnesses said the teenager was among a group of youths who had gathered for the commemoration.Youth across various towns, urban centres, and cities gathered to commemorate the deaths of several Kenyans during last year's protests. Clashes were reported in several areas, including Nakuru, Narok, Uasin Gishu, Kericho, and Naivasha. Protests also broke out in Nandi, West Pokot, Nyandarua, and Trans Nzoia counties. In Narok, three people sustained gunshot wounds after police opened fire on a crowd. The injured were taken to Narok County Hospital for treatment. In Nakuru City, NTV reporter Ruth Sarmoei was injured in the chaos. She was interviewing young people along Kenyatta Avenue when she was struck on the lower leg by a blunt object. "I bent down and informed my colleagues, who helped me get to a car. I was then rushed to the hospital," Sarmoei said. Business activities ground to a halt as large crowds marched along Kenyatta Avenue. In Nyandarua County, police in Nyahururu town fired teargas to disperse demonstrators who had blocked major roads, causing widespread disruption. Youth during peaceful protest in honor of the victims of the June 25, 2024 Gen Z protests, in Kericho, on June 25, 2025. [Evans Yegon, Standard] Two people were reportedly seriously injured during the protests. Fearing possible raids, business owners closed their shops. In Ol Kalou town, protesters barricaded the Ol Kalou-Nairobi highway by lighting fires on the road.In West Pokot County, a peaceful procession was led by youth leader Ngolepus Emmanuel, who marched through Makutano's central business district carrying candles and the Kenyan flag. Police officers provided security and no incidents of violence were reported. In Narok County, three people are nursing gunshot wounds after police clashed with youthful protesters at the Rung'u ya Moi junction on the Narok-Bomet highway. Witnesses said police initially tried to disperse the crowd peacefully. However, when some protesters began throwing stones, officers responded with teargas, sparking running battles across Narok town. Protesters lit bonfires using tyres, blocked roads and scattered into narrow alleys as police reinforcements arrived. Several tourists traveling to and from the Maasai Mara Game Reserve were left stranded for hours due to the roadblocks and confrontations. In Uasin Gishu County, a confrontation broke out between two rival youth groups armed with clubs, prompting swift police intervention. Uasin Gishu base commander Benjamin Mwanthi led his team to swiftly quell the violence and prevent looting.In Eldoret, businesses shut down as traders feared for their safety. The protests started peacefully, with hundreds of Gen Z youth chanting anti-government slogans. Tensions flared when a group armed with clubs attempted to confront the demonstrators. In Naivasha town, business came to a standstill as dozens of youths engaged in running battles with police throughout the day. Officers repeatedly thwarted attempts to raid two supermarkets. In Kericho County, protesters pulled down a symbolic UDA-branded wheelbarrow near the Hass Petroleum Station. Hundreds marched along the Kericho-Nakuru highway, chanting slogans like "Ruto must go" and "One term." They voiced strong opposition to what they described as President Ruto's authoritarian leadership, accusing his government of suppressing their democratic right to assemble and express dissent. A protester, Kirui Kimutai, condemned what he termed a state-sponsored crackdown on youth calling for accountability. In Nanyuki, chaos broke out after protesters looted shops during the day's demonstrations. In Murang'a town, demonstrators lit bonfires at the main stage before marching to Mukuyu Market, where they criticized the government. Report by Julius Chepkwony, Ben Ahenda, James Munyeki, Irissheel Shanzu, George Sayagie, Elvis Koskie, Antony Gitonga, Boniface Gikandi and Nikko Tanui

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Death, violence, and looting in Rift Valley as protesters take to the streets

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