What began as a peaceful nationwide protest against the controversial Finance Bill quickly turned tragic in Matuu, Machakos County, where police reportedly opened fire on demonstrators, resulting in the death of one person and injuries to several others.
The Wednesday protests, held to commemorate the victims of the 2024 Gen Z demonstrations and to denounce the government’s new taxation policies, descended into violence in multiple towns, but it was Matuu that bore the brunt of the chaos.
How the Matuu Protests Escalated
Witness accounts indicate that the unrest in Matuu began when a large group of protesters, primarily youth, marched toward the Matuu Police Station. Their intentions, according to locals, were to demand justice for individuals who lost their lives during last year’s anti-Finance Bill protests.
However, the situation spiraled out of control when the crowd allegedly tried to storm the police station. In response, law enforcement officers used live ammunition in a bid to disperse the demonstrators.
“I heard gunshots and saw people running in all directions. Some were bleeding,” recounted a boda boda operator who witnessed the incident unfold.
Images from the scene showed severe vandalism at the police station, with broken windows, damaged property, and burned debris strewn across the compound.
Confirmed Casualties and Medical Response
According to the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), which has been closely monitoring the protests nationwide, one protester was killed on the spot, while eight others suffered gunshot wounds. The commission condemned the police’s use of live ammunition, calling it a deliberate attack on peaceful demonstrators.
“Police in Matuu, Machakos, have opened fire on peaceful protesters, leaving one person dead and eight others injured. The group was demanding justice for Kenyans killed during the 2024 Gen Z protests,” said KHRC in a strongly worded statement.
Medical sources confirmed that seven of the injured were in serious condition. Four of them were admitted to Matuu Level 4 Hospital, while the remaining three were receiving treatment at a private facility nearby.
Protests Across the Country Mirror Matuu’s Unrest
The violence in Matuu was not an isolated incident. As Kenyans across the country poured into the streets to protest against the punitive measures outlined in the new Finance Bill, chaos erupted in several counties.
In Nairobi, protestors clashed with anti-riot police in the Central Business District (CBD), where officers used tear gas, water cannons, and rubber bullets to disperse the crowds. Five people were reported injured in the capital, two of whom were in critical condition and were rushed to Kenyatta National Hospital.
“There was no need for violence,” said a protester in Nairobi. “We were only exercising our right to peaceful assembly.”
In Narok County, residents took to the streets, blocking roads using stones and lighting bonfires. Protesters hurled rocks at police officers, prompting a retaliatory crackdown. The standoff paralyzed transport services for hours and disrupted business operations.
Reports from other towns, including Kisumu, Nakuru, and Eldoret, indicated pockets of resistance and scattered incidents of police confrontation.
National Police Service Responds with Plea for Peace
As images and videos of the protests spread across social media, sparking widespread outrage and concern, the National Police Service Commission (NPSC) released a statement urging for restraint and peace on both sides.
“You have the right to express yourselves peacefully and lawfully,” the NPSC noted. “We urge you to conduct demonstrations in a manner that upholds dignity, avoids violence, and respects the lives, property, and freedoms of fellow residents.”
The commission also acknowledged that some officers may have responded with excessive force and promised to investigate all reported incidents of police brutality.
Background: What Triggered the June 25 Protests?
The June 25 demonstrations were organized by grassroots activists and civil society groups to mark one year since the deadly 2024 Gen Z Protests and to pressure the government to withdraw the controversial Finance Bill 2025.
The bill proposes a range of tax hikes affecting fuel, digital transactions, and consumer goods, prompting widespread backlash from both urban and rural communities. Youth, in particular, have taken center stage in the resistance, using online platforms to mobilize and document the protests in real time.
Despite a nationwide outcry and several public consultations, the government has remained firm on implementing the bill, citing the need to raise revenue and reduce reliance on foreign debt.
Human Rights Concerns and Calls for Accountability
In the wake of the violence, several human rights organizations, including Amnesty International Kenya and the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), have condemned the state’s heavy-handed response to what they say are constitutionally protected protests.
“We are deeply disturbed by reports of fatalities and injuries. The right to peaceful assembly is enshrined in the Constitution of Kenya, and the use of lethal force must be the last resort,” said a spokesperson for Amnesty Kenya.
KHRC is now calling for an independent investigation into the shooting in Matuu and other areas, and is urging the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to fast-track any probes into police misconduct during the demonstrations.
Public Outcry and Social Media Reactions
Kenyans took to X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, and Instagram to share firsthand accounts, videos of confrontations, and calls for justice. Hashtags like #JusticeForMatuu, #FinanceBillProtests, and #EndPoliceBrutalityKe trended throughout the day.
Some of the videos circulating online show young people carrying injured protesters to safety, while others captured moments of raw emotion as tear gas engulfed the streets.
Many have drawn comparisons between the current unrest and last year’s Gen Z protests, which also began as a youth-led movement and ended with dozens of fatalities.
What’s Next?
With tensions remaining high, activist groups have announced plans for continued demonstrations throughout the week unless the government agrees to review the Finance Bill.
Legal experts warn that unless law enforcement adopts a more measured approach and the government engages in meaningful dialogue with protesters, the situation could deteriorate further.
For now, the people of Matuu and other affected regions are left mourning the loss of life and demanding accountability for what many are calling avoidable tragedies.