Families lay flowers on barbed wire barricade on anniversary of deadly Kenya protests

Families of those killed during Kenya’s anti-government protests in 2024 have placed flowers on barbed wire outside parliament, as demonstrations took place to mark two years since the deadly clashes.

Police arrested 355 protesters nationwide and blocked key roads in Nairobi, though turnout in the capital was low compared to 2024 and anniversary demonstrations last year.

The authorities also barricaded parliament with barbed wire, preventing families of the deceased from laying wreaths and flowers by the building.

“All I want is for the government to bring the officers responsible for killing our children before us and let them apologise,” Jacinta Anyango told the BBC outside parliament.

Anyango, whose 12-year-old son Kennedy was killed in 2024 in clashes on the outskirts of Nairobi, said: “Who does the president expect to vote for him next year if he continues killing us like this?

Some had called for nationwide protests to demand justice for more than 80 people who were killed and dozens more injured during the youth-led demonstrations. The 2024 protest was sparked by anger over controversial tax proposals.