A wave of destruction swept through Nyandarua County on Wednesday, June 25, as nationwide protests marking the first anniversary of the 2024 anti-Finance Bill demonstrations escalated into violence. In one of the most severe cases of property damage reported that day, a total of 26 county government vehicles were set ablaze at the Olkalou sub-county offices.
According to Nyandarua County officials, among the torched assets were 18 motorbikes and five vehicles that were already grounded. Newly acquired music equipment, reportedly intended for county events and public awareness campaigns, was also reduced to ashes in the inferno. The destruction, county officials said, was both symbolic and costly, reflecting public frustration while significantly setting back local service delivery.
Police officers in Olkalou engaged in prolonged running battles with protesters, as demonstrators blocked roads with stones and other debris. Tear gas was used extensively to disperse crowds as tensions flared throughout the day.
Similar scenes played out across the country, particularly in Nairobi, Mombasa, Eldoret, and other major towns including Kakamega, Busia, Nyeri, Laikipia, Machakos, and Kirinyaga. The scale and coordination of the protests underscored a growing sense of dissatisfaction among Kenyans over governance, public spending, and police accountability.
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), in a statement released later that evening, confirmed that eight people had died during the demonstrations. Fatalities were recorded in Machakos (2), Makueni (2), Nakuru (1), Kiambu (1), Uasin Gishu (1), and Nyandarua (1). Over 400 casualties were reported nationwide, including injuries to protesters, police officers, and journalists. Of these, 83 individuals required specialized treatment, while the rest were treated and discharged.
The events in Nyandarua highlight the volatile intersection of civic unrest and state response, raising urgent questions about the country’s preparedness to handle civil demonstrations without descending into chaos and destruction.
