Two dead as Kenyan youths hit streets in first anniversary of anti-Finance Bill protest
Two protesters were shot dead and many injured during police clampdown on youths marching in memorial of last year’s anti-Finance Bill at Matuu, Machakos County.
On Wednesday, two died from gunshot wounds as protesters marched in honour of those killed during last year’s protest, according to Kenyan local media, Citizen TV.
Citing Julius Makau, administrator at a hospital in Matuu, Citizens TV reported “One had abdominal gunshot wounds and died from excessive bleeding. We got an alert of another gunshot victim at another hospital but on arrival we found that the patient had already succumbed.”
Amid the protests on Wednesday, President William Ruto urged protesters to remain peaceful and avoid destruction of property.
Mr Ruto said, “We must make sure that the demonstrations we hold are peaceful. The demonstrations should not lead to the destruction of property because we do not have any other country where we will go if things become tough here.’’
Amnesty International Kenya, in a statement on Tuesday, warned Kenyan police to desist from clampdown on protesters as they mark one-year of anti-Finance Bill protest.
“Tomorrow marks one year since the historic #OccupyParliament protest shook the nation’s conscience. As Kenyans prepare to take to the streets again this June 25th, peacefully and within their constitutional right, it is not just a protest. It is a mirror held up to the National Police Service (NPS), a test of whether it serves the constitution or cowers to political masters,” the human rights organisation said.
The anti-Finance Bill protests rocked the country, forcing Mr Ruto to withdraw the bill and sack some cabinet members to pacify protesters. About 60 protesters were killed during last year’s protests that lasted over several weeks.
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