Families across Kenya are in mourning as the country marks the anniversary of the deadly protests that shook the nation last year. The British High Commission has issued a statement condemning the violence that erupted during the demonstrations, which left dozens dead and hundreds injured. The protests, which began over rising fuel and food prices, quickly escalated into broader demands for political change.
Today, memorial services are being held in Nairobi and other cities, with relatives laying wreaths and calling for justice. Many of those killed were young workers and students, their lives cut short by what human rights groups describe as excessive force by police. The High Commission’s condemnation comes amid growing international pressure on the Kenyan government to investigate the deaths and hold those responsible to account.
For the families left behind, the anniversary is a painful reminder of the cost of speaking out. The cost of living crisis that sparked the protests remains acute, with basic goods like bread and cooking oil still beyond the reach of many ordinary Kenyans. Trade unions, which played a key role in organising the demonstrations, have vowed to continue their fight for fair wages and an end to police brutality.
The British government has urged restraint and dialogue, but for those who lost loved ones, words are not enough. They want action. They want answers.
They want to know that their grief will not be forgotten when the news cycle moves on.
