Hundreds of people were arrested in Kenya on Thursday as families of victims killed during the 2024 anti-government protests marched to Parliament demanding justice and compensation.
The demonstrations marked two years since security forces opened fire on protesters outside Parliament in Nairobi during nationwide protests against proposed tax increases. At least 60 people lost their lives in the crackdown.
The victims' families say the government has failed to fairly compensate those affected despite earlier promises of financial support. Many accused authorities of lacking transparency in the compensation process, with only a small number of verified families reportedly receiving payments.
Ahead of the demonstrations, President William Ruto said peaceful protests would be allowed but warned against any attempts to disrupt the country. Security was tightened across Nairobi, with police setting up roadblocks on major highways, barricading Parliament, and monitoring key areas while many businesses remained closed.
Authorities said 355 people were arrested in Nairobi and several other towns, describing them as individuals involved in criminal activities. However, journalists and witnesses reported that many ordinary citizens were also detained during the operation. Police also fired tear gas to disperse demonstrators attempting to deliver a petition outside the city's main police station.
Several opposition leaders joined the march alongside activists and families of those killed, calling for greater transparency in the government's $15 million compensation programme. The group laid wreaths near the heavily guarded Parliament building in memory of the victims.
Some relatives expressed frustration over the slow pace of compensation. Edith Wanjiku, whose 19-year-old son Ibrahim Kamau was killed during the 2024 protests, said her family had submitted all the required documents but had yet to receive any payment. Another parent, Gillian Munyao, whose son Rex Masai also died during the protests, said financial compensation could never replace justice and urged authorities to prosecute the officers responsible.
The chairman of the compensation panel, Makau Mutua, said the verification process is still ongoing and assured families that all valid claims would eventually be paid. Authorities have confirmed that three police officers have already been charged in connection with the deaths of protesters.
The 2024 demonstrations began after thousands of young Kenyans gathered outside Parliament to oppose a proposed finance bill that included tax increases amid rising living costs. The protests quickly escalated, becoming one of the country's deadliest episodes in recent years and leaving dozens dead while sparking widespread calls for police accountability and government reform.
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