The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
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A man was shot dead and several others injured on Wednesday following violent confrontations between police and protesters in Matuu, Machakos County, as anti-government demonstrations led by Gen Z intensified across the region.
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According to eyewitnesses, the deceased was shot when a section of demonstrators attempted to force their way into the Matuu Police Station.
The protesters, chanting slogans against the government, faced a heavy police response, with officers firing tear gas to disperse the crowd.
Amid the chaos, several injured demonstrators were seen being carried away by fellow protesters, as tension escalated near the station.
Reports indicate that the local police were overwhelmed by the large crowds, prompting reinforcements from the Border Patrol Unit based at the Border Police Unit headquarters in Kanyoonyo, Kitui County.
In Mlolongo, demonstrators blocked the Nairobi–Mombasa Highway by burning tyres, disrupting traffic along the busy route.
Police retaliated with tear gas and engaged in running battles with the protesters, particularly around the Nairobi Expressway.
A similar situation unfolded in Machakos town, where officers used tear gas to scatter groups of demonstrators.
In neighboring Makueni County, sections of the Nairobi–Mombasa Highway at Emali, Makindu, Kibwezi, and Sultan Hamud were barricaded by protesters, who said their actions were in remembrance of those killed during recent demonstrations.
“We are here to honor the Gen Zs who lost their lives at the hands of the police. They were not criminals—they died for standing up for their constitutional rights,” said Isaac Wambua, one of the protesters.
“We came peacefully with only candles and face masks. But when police use teargas, we are forced to defend ourselves. Some have been killed in police custody, others in the streets. An attack on one of us is an attack on all,” he added.
The demonstrations, which have rapidly spread across the country, reflect the growing friction between the government and a new generation of youth activists determined to demand accountability and justice.
