One dead, others injured as Mathare protests over missing youth turn violent
By Emmanuel Rono, June 30, 2026One person was shot dead and two others injured after protests over the disappearance of Abdulaziz Duba Molo turned violent in the Mathare, Huruma and Kiamaiko areas of Nairobi on Tuesday, June 30, 2026.
The demonstrations, now in their third day, saw protesters clash with police, vandalise property and storm a hospital, leaving residents demanding answers over the whereabouts of the missing youth, popularly known as Zizo.
Zizo is among the protesters who remain unaccounted for after some protesters were found abandoned in Nairobi’s Hurlingham area in the early hours of Saturday, June 27, 2026.
A preliminary report stated that the deceased was shot during confrontations between protesters and police, while two other people sustained gunshot injuries.
The demos disrupted transport along Nairobi’s Outer Ring Road earlier on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, after protesters blocked sections of the busy highway. The movement of private vehicles and public service vehicles was majorly disrupted along the busy highway.
Residents raising concerns
Residents expressed concern over the impact of the protests and the disappearance of the young man.
Genekot Eboro, a resident of Kiamaiko, said the community was living in fear.
“What caused this maandamano ni kuna kijana ame-abduct-iwa and who is by the name Zizo, Abdulaziz. We as Kenyans, ambayo ni wananchi, wakazi wa huku Kiamaiko, tunakuwa na wasiwasi mingi. Watoto wetu siku tatu hawako kwenda shule, na wazee wakongwe wako kwa nyumba wana-suffocate na hii teargas.”
Another resident, Mohammed Wako questioned why due process had not been followed if Abdulaziz was suspected of any offence.
“Kama ako na makosa, kotini zilijengwa za nini? Majaji waliwekwa hapo ya nini? Justice iliwekwa hapo ya nini? Kama ni kufungwa afungwe tujuwe ako kotini. Saa hii hatujui mahali aliko tunaumia.”
June 25 protests
The June 25, 2026, commemorations, held to honour victims of the 2024 anti-government protests, were marked by a heavy security presence across Nairobi and other towns.
According to Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, police arrested 355 people during the demonstrations on suspicion of offences including robbery, malicious damage to property, obstruction of roads, and attempted theft.
Following the arrests, dozens of protesters were presented before various courts across the country, while others were reportedly released after processing.