Businesses, govt facilities razed in deadly protests

Death, devastation and destruction reverberated in the aftermath of the chaos that swept the country during Gen Z protests on Wednesday. The extent of that damage became clear to many yesterday as Kenyans tried to come to terms with the huge losses.

The one-year anniversary of last year’s anti-Finance Bill protests in 26 counties, escalated into violent confrontations in some places, leaving behind a trail of loss and mourning.

According to Amnesty International at least 16 people were killed during the protests while more than 400 were injured. Among the fatalities was a security guard stationed at Kenya Power’s Stima Plaza headquarters. Fred Wamale Wanyonyi was shot at the Kolobot Road entrance and later pronounced dead at Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital.

During a press conference yesterday afternoon, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said 400 civilians and 300 police officers were injured, 88 police vehicles destroyed, nine police stations attacked, five torched down including Dagoretti, Molo and OlKalou, and some 27 national and county government vehicles destroyed. Five firearms were stolen at Dagoretti Police Post, four police equipment burnt at Gachui police station and 65 civilian vehicles parked in police stations torched.

Hundreds of businesses were looted and vandalised, government offices torched, and at least eight lives lost, according to a report by the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR).

Confirmed fatalities

The protests, largely driven by young Kenyans demanding better governance, economic reforms and increased accountability, turned violent in some counties.

The KNCHR confirmed eight fatalities from the protests, with Machakos and Makueni each recording two deaths, Nakuru, Kiambu, Uasin Gishu, and Nyandarua each having one confirmed fatalities. The commission also reported over 400 casualties, including protesters, police officers and journalists.

The protests took an especially destructive turn in Nyandarua and Molo sub-counties, where demonstrators set government facilities ablaze.

In Molo, Nakuru County, a Form Four student was tragically shot dead during a confrontation with police. The student’s mother, Lucy Wanjiku, was inconsolable as she mourned her youngest son.

“I still can’t believe he’s gone. He just wanted to speak up for his future,” she wept.

Unconfirmed reports indicate that Molo sub-county hospital received at least eight individuals with gunshot wounds. Some were treated and discharged.

In one of the most heavily affected regions, Nyandarua County, 26 government vehicles, 11 motorcycles, a county library, and several administrative offices were destroyed.

Nyandarua Governor Moses Kiarie Badilisha, after visiting the scene, described the destruction as a “major blow” to public service delivery. “The loss of these critical assets will paralyse essential services in the county. We must not allow violence to drown out the legitimate voices of our youth,” he said, calling for a thorough investigation and accountability.

In Molo, six government vehicles, including a fire engine, were torched. Nakuru County Secretary Samuel Mwaura, who led officials to assess the damage, confirmed the loss of vital documents and ordered an indefinite suspension of government services in the affected sub-county.

Private businesses were not spared. In Molo town, traders faced heavy losses after shops were looted in broad daylight. At the Capital Supermart, owner Eliud Mukiri said he lost goods and cash worth over Sh3 million.

“Goods were scattered across the floor, shelves emptied and valuables carried off on motorbikes. The crowd was too large, and even police firing in the air couldn’t stop them,” Mukiri recounted.

The Molo Business Community Chairman, Marioko Muraya, strongly condemned the looting and destruction, urging police to act swiftly. “CCTV footage should be reviewed, and those responsible must be arrested. This is not the way to push for reform,” he said.

The government has promised to investigate the incidents and ensure justice for victims.

Meanwhile, the affected families are left to pick up the pieces, with both grief and financial ruin weighing heavily on them.

‘Coup’ plot

As the dust settles, the country remains on edge while the violence and destruction continue to draw widespread condemnation from leaders and citizens alike.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen yesterday described the nationwide animosities as a “well-planned and unconstitutional attempt at regime change,” adding that the government has gathered clear evidence pointing to the organisers and financiers.

Murkomen said what unfolded was not a protest, but an attempted coup targeting key State installations including State House and Parliament.

“That was not a peaceful protest. That was an attempted coup,” he said. “You all saw what happened. They were clearly targeting the symbols of power—but they did not succeed.”

He said the plotters mobilised people from Nyeri, Murang’a, Thika and other regions, transporting them to Nairobi to fuel unrest.

“These are the same individuals seen looting and robbing citizens on their way home,” he added.

Murkomen said over 300 police officers were among the injured, with some sustaining life-altering injuries. Nine police stations were attacked—five of them torched—including Dagoretti, Molo and OlKalou. Eighty-eight police vehicles and over 90 government and private vehicles were destroyed. Five firearms were stolen from Dagoretti Police Post while four others were burned at Gachui Police Post.

He said the demonstrations were organised with the goal of instilling fear and destabilising the country. Protesters chanting slogans like “Take over power” and “Occupy State House” tried to overrun security barricades.

Businesses, homes and institutions associated with government allied politicians—including those belonging to MPs Kikuyu’s Kimani Ichung’wah, Kimani Kuria (Molo), Eric Wamumbi (Mathira) and Mwangi Kiunjuri (Laikipia East) —were also attacked.

“This was a deliberate, coordinated, funded and politically instigated operation. It was terrorism disguised as dissent,” Murkomen said.

Several supermarkets, electronics shops, government buildings, and even a Catholic Church property in Embu were looted and torched. Critical infrastructure, including roads and water lines, was vandalised.

The Interior CS praised security officers for exercising restraint and successfully repelling attempts to storm State House, Parliament and other installations. He said investigations are ongoing and that those responsible, regardless of political or financial status, would face arrest and prosecution.

“Since there is no one who is going to defend our police officers, I want to speak authoritatively here and say that I will defend them. We will pursue justice relentlessly on behalf of all affected Kenyans,” the CS said.

He claimed that the attackers had a clear mission of seizing weapons and impersonating law enforcement officers, noting that some individuals were now bragging online while dressed in police gear.

“I can see some of these boys on TikTok wearing police uniforms and calling themselves sergeants, saying they have taken over power. Make no mistake, we will come for you, and we will come hard,” he warned.

He called for urgent legislation to regulate public demonstrations, proposing legal frameworks that will require protest organisers to submit clear plans including purpose, routes, and timelines for police coordination.

While condemning the violence, Murkomen said the government remains open to dialogue with youth, civil society, faith leaders and other stakeholders to address deeper systemic issues.

“Kenya’s strength lies in our unity. To peaceful citizens, the government stands with you. And to those who seek chaos, our resolve to defend this nation is unshakable.”

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