Kenya: Five Guns Stolen, Police Post Torched in Kikuyu as Protests Intensify

Twenty-five individuals face arrest following violent clashes during Wednesday’s nationwide protests in Kikuyu. The unrest, part of broader “Gen Z” demonstrations, saw significant destruction, including the torching of the Kikuyu Law Courts, county government offices, and the Dagoretti Police Post.

During the chaos, rioters stole five firearms from the Dagoretti police facility. The stolen weapons include two AK-47 rifles, a G3 rifle, a Jericho pistol, and an anti-riot gun. Police successfully thwarted an attempt to seize five additional firearms from a Sub-County APS armoury.

The confrontation, which police report involved approximately 10,000 rioters, escalated after a peaceful procession. A police report indicates “goons” were “hired” from Limuru and Kiambu, then transported to Kikuyu. These groups barricaded the Southern Bypass and Old Kikuyu Road with stones and burning tires.

One person died during the unrest. Five police officers sustained injuries. The body of the deceased was later abandoned at the Kikuyu Police Station main gate. Running battles continued late into the night, with rioters vandalizing affordable housing units before four arrests were made. Investigations continue to identify further perpetrators.

These ongoing protests are driven by public anger over economic hardship, rising living costs, and perceived government corruption. The recent 2025 Finance Bill, despite some amendments, remains a flashpoint for widespread discontent regarding taxation and government spending.

A significant factor is also public outrage over alleged police brutality and a demand for accountability for deaths and injuries from previous demonstrations, including the violent June 25, 2024, protests that commemorated their first anniversary. Young Kenyans, often mobilizing through social media, feel burdened by existing taxes and perceive government priorities as detached from their struggles. The movement highlights a growing youth political voice demanding better governance and economic justice.

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