One shot dead, seven injured as Machakos protests turn ugly

One person has been killed and seven others injured following an ugly clash between the police and protesters in Matuu, Machakos County.

Reports indicate the deceased, an unidentified male adult was felled by a police bullet as he allegedly attempted to storm into Matuu police station during the Wednesday Gen Z anniversary demos.

Seven people have reportedly been rushed to Matuu Level Four hospital for emergency treatment after sustaining gunshot wounds.

In Machakos town, tension is high as hundreds of youths turned out to mark the first anniversary of Gen Z protests.

The majority of business premises within the Central Business District have been closed amid looting fears as the protesters engaged police officers in running battles.

Several key roads among them Machakos-Kitui, Machakos-Wote and the main round-about adjacent to the county headquarters were barricaded with stones and burning tires.

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The bus park was deserted after it turned out to be a battleground between police and the protesters. Numerous public service vehicle saccos withdrew their fleet from the town, leaving commuters with boda bodas as an alternative.

Machakos Deputy County Commissioner, David Rotich said the protesters had breached the agreement reached between themselves and the police on Tuesday while notifying the security officers of the demonstration plan.

“The agreement was that the demonstrators meet at the Machakos University main gate at 10.00 am and march peacefully through the streets before convening at Mulu Mutisya Gardens to light candles in honor of those who lost their lives during last year’s protests,” said Rotich.