Violent demos leave 18 dead, over 500 hurt
By Zadock Angira, June 27, 2025What began as peaceful demonstrations marking the anniversary of last year’s anti-government protests erupted into deadly violence on Wednesday, claiming at least 18 lives, injuring over 500 people, and destroying property worth millions of shillings.
Demonstrators attempted to storm at least 10 police stations across the country, including Villa, Karatina, Othaya, Molo, and Embakasi stations.
The most severe damage occurred in Olkalou, Nyandarua County, where protesters burned 33 motor vehicles, one tractor, 10 motorcycles, and several buildings, including the exhibit store. Police reported one person died after falling from a police vehicle.
Molo violence
In Molo, violence escalated when 2,000 demonstrators attempted to overrun the police station around 5 p.m. They burned the dog kennel and looted a nearby shop. Officers shot dead Dennis Njuguna Ngugi, a 17-year-old Form Three student at Njenga Karume Secondary School. Two other students suffered minor injuries.
GSU Molo driver Constable Samuel Waititu lost his teeth after being struck in the mouth with a stone. Overwhelmed officers called for reinforcements from Njoro and Kuresoi South.
The mob then targeted Molo sub-county municipal offices, destroying a fire engine, three vehicles, a tractor, and a water bowser. By 8pm, they had broken into Capital Supermarket, cutting through door grills to loot goods of unknown value.
Police arrested four suspects: Francis Rihangak, Alex Orangi, and Peter Muraguri. The group also attempted to attack the local MP’s residence but were repelled. The student’s body was transferred to Molo Sub-County Mortuary, and the matter referred to the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA).
Station under siege
About 3,000 stone-wielding demonstrators armed with crude weapons invaded Villa police station in Embakasi, forcing officers to call reinforcements from the GSU Training School, Buruburu, and Kayole. One person died and 17 officers sustained injuries. Protesters raided Bata Shop, looting property of unknown value, and attempted to invade Embakasi police station before being repulsed.
In Parklands, Fred Wamale Wanyonyi, a 28-year-old Hatari Security guard, was killed by what police described as a stray bullet that struck his waist.
Two people died in Nzaui Sub-County, Makueni, after protesters raided Emali police station. Eight officers were injured in the confrontation. The owner of Kilome Hospital reported that two unknown male adults rushed to the facility with chest injuries had died.
Another death
Another death occurred in Ongata Rongai, Kajiado County, where police said the victim was among those who raided Cleanshelf Supermarket. Magadi Road remained impassable for seven hours, with five police vehicles and two civilian cars extensively damaged. “One unidentified male person in his mid-20’s lost his life during the confrontation and his body was abandoned outside the station by other demonstrators,” police said. Eighteen suspects were arrested.
In Karatina, two people died and several were injured as demonstrators extorted money from motorists while chanting “One Term,” causing traffic snarls. At 11:30am, they attempted to storm area MP Eric Wamumbi’s home at Kamunyaka but were repelled.
The group later breached the Mathira East deputy county commissioner’s compound, shattering education office windows and looting the Administration Police canteen. They tried to set fire to Karatina Law Courts and forcefully enter the police station but were overpowered.
Othaya tragedy
Joseph Ndiangui Ndonga, 27, was killed during demonstrations in Othaya town. His father, James Warurie, said his son sustained injuries and died while receiving treatment at Mwai Kibaki Hospital. Four others were seriously injured.
After attempting to raid Othaya police station and damaging vehicle windscreens, demonstrators proceeded to Nyeri South Deputy County Commissioner’s office, overpowering duty officers and setting fire to three parked vehicles. They later regrouped, pelting the station with stones and crude weapons while setting fire to the police station fence. The group also invaded Emmanuel Supermarket bakery along Othaya-Karima road, breaking the main door to steal bread and cakes before being dispersed.
In Mau Market, Igembe South Sub-County, approximately 2,000 demonstrators raided a construction site, stealing 1,900 bags of cement, five water tanks, 2,000 iron sheets, 40 rolls of hoop iron, a generator, water pump, and other materials. They also targeted the National Cereals and Produce Board, stealing 6,856 bags of fertilizer, 250 bags of lime, and Sh46,000 in cash.
Police arrested six suspects and recovered 32 bags of government fertilizer and eight bags of cement. The suspects were charged with theft, handling stolen goods, and rioting.
Naivasha destruction
About 5,000 demonstrators in Naivasha raided Powerster Supermarket, looting the entire stock before setting the building ablaze. They also invaded Naivas Safari Centre and Ketias Supermarket. Three Administration Police vehicles from Kongoni police station and Coast Guard Naivasha were damaged, and six officers injured. Twenty-five suspects were arrested and stolen items recovered.
Along the Nairobi-Mai Mahiu-Naivasha road, demonstrators pelted vehicles with stones. Five suspects were arrested: Edwin Mugwe Wambui, Boniface Munye Muchiri, Ian Nderu Wanjiru, Frederick Gatua Githae, and John Kogi. Ten officers, including Chief Inspector Patrick Leweri, sustained injuries.
In Soy, Uasin Gishu county, police launched investigations after an officer lost a magazine loaded with 10 rounds of ammunition during an attack at a petrol station. Youth vandalized a police vehicle after overpowering officers.