Police in Kenya said they detained hundreds of people and fired tear gas on Thursday as families of those killed in anti-government protests two years ago marched to the Parliament building to demand compensation and justice.
At least 60 people were killed when police opened fire outside Parliament in Nairobi in the June 2024 protests that were triggered by tax increases. This year, the victims' families said that they were protesting against a lack of transparency in the compensation programme, after the government promised reparations.
President William Ruto said last week that the protest would be allowed, but that the government would also protect schoolchildren and workers and he warned against any attempts by the demonstrators to "shut down the country."
Police erected roadblocks on all major highways around Nairobi, blocking motorists from accessing the city. The Parliament building was barricaded and businesses were closed.
Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen said that 355 "criminals" were arrested in Nairobi and other towns. He said that the measures were necessary to "protect businesses and avert chaos."
