Day of reckoning: Protests leave businesses, roads in ruins (Photos)
What began as a peaceful commemoration of youths killed during the June 2024 protests turned deadly on Tuesday, leaving several dead and hundreds injured in a wave of chaos and destruction across the country.
According to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), at least eight people were shot dead and more than 400 injured during clashes between police and protesters.
Authorities also reported that 61 individuals were arrested and detained at various police stations.
The demonstrations quickly escalated into violent confrontations, with protesters hurling stones and makeshift weapons in response to teargas canisters fired by police.
Debris from the melee, including large objects dragged onto roads, rendered major highways, including the Thika Superhighway, impassable through Thursday morning.
The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has since deployed teams to clear blocked roads and ease the traffic gridlock.
Government offices and public buildings were also targeted.
In several counties, including Nairobi and Kiambu, Kikuyu Law Courts and Dagoretti Police Station were set ablaze, with looters reportedly making away with valuables, including firearms.
In Nairobi’s Central Business District, business owners are counting heavy losses.
Shops in areas such as Koja roundabout, OTC Business Centre, and Moi Avenue were looted in broad daylight as the chaos unfolded.
Nairobi County Chief Officer for Environment, Geoffrey Mosiria, who toured the CBD to assess the damage, condemned the destruction.
“It didn't have to reach this point where people are suffering for the loss of their properties. My appeal to the young people, let's not destroy people’s property and let this not happen again,” said Mosiria.
With cleanup operations underway across the country and many victims still hospitalised, officials say the full extent of the damage is yet to be determined.
A spot check by the Standard across counties has gathered the following:
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.[Benard Orwongo, Standard]
.[Kimaku chege, Standard]
[George Njunge, Standard]
Business owners in Naivasha are facing significant losses after protesters stormed Naivas, Powerstar, and Khetias Supermarket, vandalising the stores and looting items on Wednesday June 25, 2025. [Antony Gitonga, Standard]
This is a developing story and is being updated…
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