In Nairobi’s Moi Avenue, a poignant protest unfolded as demonstrators symbolically carried and placed empty coffins on the road near Bazaar Centre, across from Clarion Hotel.
This stark gesture was intended to mourn those who lost their lives during ongoing protests against the Finance Bill.
More than ten coffins, draped in white linen, were positioned to block the road, drawing attention and amplifying the demonstrators’ message as the protests entered their third week.
Amidst the haze of teargas, some protesters dropped the coffins while others carried them defiantly, amidst shouts and the fluttering of the Kenyan flag, which adorned some of the draped coffins.
Despite a strong police presence, tension mounted as officers moved to clear the road, instructing their colleagues to load the coffins into police trucks.
This action was met with resistance initially, but eventually, the crowd dispersed as teargas was deployed.
Similar protests erupted in Nakuru, Kisii, and Kisumu, reflecting widespread discontent with the government and its policies.
In Nairobi’s Central Business District, police used teargas to disperse protesters, leading to several arrests witnessed by the press on Moi Avenue, Kimathi Street, and Kenyatta Avenue.
Protesters accused the police of stifling their right to dissent by blocking major roads into the city center.
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) reported at least 39 fatalities nationwide since the protests began, with Nairobi recording the highest casualties at 17 deaths, according to KNCHR Chairperson Roseline Odede.
The protests underscored deep-seated grievances over the Finance Bill and broader discontentment with governance, sparking impassioned demonstrations across the country.
As the situation continues to unfold, stakeholders are grappling with the implications of these protests and the ongoing efforts to address the underlying issues driving public dissent and unrest in Kenya.
Protesters In Mombasa Torched Vehicles After A Shooting Injured Three People.