Ten killed, 400 injured in Kenya protests

At least 10 people have reportedly been killed and more than 400 others injured during widespread protests that erupted across 26 counties and Nairobi, Kenya’s capital, on Wednesday.

The protests, largely led by youth, marked one year since the deadly demonstrations against the controversial Finance Bill. Major urban centres, including Nairobi, Mombasa, Eldoret, and Kisumu were engulfed in chaos as demonstrators lit bonfires and barricaded roads.

The Naivasha–Nakuru highway was blocked, causing major traffic disruptions. In Nairobi, parts of the city centre and key access roads to State House were cordoned off with razor wire. Parliament was heavily guarded by police and army units. Protesters waving Kenyan flags and carrying placards chanted slogans such as “Ruto must go,” in reference to President William Ruto.

Earlier in the day, the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) issued a directive banning live TV and radio coverage of the protests, citing violations of constitutional and legal provisions.

The directive, signed by CA Director General David Mugonyi, warned broadcasters of regulatory action for non-compliance. Following the order, NTV and KTN, two privately owned media houses, were reportedly raided and had their transmission signals switched off.

The Kenya Editors Guild condemned the action, calling it a gross violation of press freedom and the country’s constitution. In a strongly worded statement, the Guild said live coverage is not a threat but a civil duty that ensures accountability and transparency.

However, in a legal twist, the High Court of Kenya suspended the CA directive, ruling that the ban on live coverage of the demonstrations was both illegal and unconstitutional, following a petition filed by civil society activists.