Police Arrest Over 500 Amid Nationwide Kenya Protests

More than 500 people were arrested across Kenya on Monday as anti-government protests swept through the country, coinciding with the 35th anniversary of Saba Saba—a day that historically honors the fight for democracy.

According to the National Police Service (NPS), at least 567 individuals were taken into custody. Police spokesperson Michael Muchiri described the mass arrests as a response to widespread “lawlessness,” including incidents of looting and assaults on officers. Authorities say investigations into each case are ongoing.

Demonstrations broke out in at least 17 of Kenya’s 47 counties, with protesters voicing frustration over economic stagnation, soaring living costs, government corruption, and enduring police brutality. The protests, largely youth-led, gained renewed momentum after the controversial death of blogger Albert Ojwang in police custody last month—an incident that has fueled public outrage.

The unrest follows a deadly wave of protests in June that left at least 19 people dead and intensified calls for justice and reform. On Monday, human rights groups reported 10 additional deaths, citing a heavy-handed police crackdown. The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), a state-funded watchdog, expressed alarm over the growing death toll and escalating violence.

In Nairobi, authorities deployed large numbers of security personnel and blocked key roads as a precaution. Businesses across the capital remained shuttered amid fears of unrest. Witnesses reported the use of tear gas, water cannons, and even live ammunition by both uniformed and plainclothes officers, some allegedly working alongside criminal gangs.

As tensions rise, human rights organizations are demanding accountability and an independent investigation into the conduct of security forces, warning that the government’s response risks deepening public mistrust and further destabilizing the country.