Police open fire on protesters, leaving one dead and six wounded in Matuu
Tension is high at the Roysambu roundabout, where police have lobbed tear gas canisters in an attempt to disperse a crowd of young people trying to find their way to the CBD to participate in the nationwide protest.
One man died after police opened fire on anti-government protesters in Matuu Township, Machakos County, while six others sustained gunshot wounds.
Matuu Sub-county Hospital Administrator Julius Makau confirmed that the man succumbed to his injuries at the facility on Wednesday.
Mr Makau said the deceased was among nine patients received by the hospital following the police shooting.
“The man who succumbed had sustained abdominal gunshot injuries. Another man is in critical condition after being shot in the head. The remaining three patients suffered soft tissue injuries caused by other means. Five of the patients are currently in stable condition,” he said.
The injured were part of a rowdy crowd that had attempted to storm Matuu Police Station after blocking the busy Thika-Garissa Road for most of the day.
Witnesses said the youthful protesters pelted the police station with stone prompting officers to open fire, a move that escalated tensions between police and demonstrators.