At least 10 people were killed and dozens injured on Monday as anti-government protests erupted across Kenya during the annual Saba Saba Day, a historic date commemorating the country’s 1990 pro-democracy uprising.

The protests, largely led by youth and Gen Z activists, were sparked by rising public anger over police brutality, corruption, and the high cost of living. Demonstrators demanded the resignation of President William Ruto, accusing his administration of economic mismanagement and repression.

According to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, a government-funded watchdog, 10 civilians died and 29 were injured nationwide. Police later reported 11 fatalities, including injured officers, but cited fewer civilian casualties.

In Nairobi, protesters lit bonfires and clashed with riot police who responded with tear gas, water cannons, and live ammunition. Roads leading to the city center, State House, and Parliament were sealed off with razor wire, and both private and public transport were blocked.

The protests paralyzed the capital, with most businesses shuttered and long-distance commuters stranded. Public Service Minister Geoffrey Ruku insisted that government operations would continue, while Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen warned that violent protests would not be tolerated.

Opposition leader Raila Odinga, a key figure in the original 1990 Saba Saba movement, condemned the police response and called for a national civic dialogue to address Kenya’s deepening political and economic crisis. “We inherited a rogue force from the colonialists—one that still shoots people with impunity,” he said.

The protests, which spread to 17 of Kenya’s 47 counties, were organized largely through social media platforms and reflect growing frustration among Kenya’s youth. In Kangemi, Kitengela, and Kamukunji, demonstrators clashed with police, and several were reportedly shot.

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