Form 3 Student Shot Dead in Molo as Gen Z Protest Turns Violent
Molo – A Form 3 student was shot dead and four others were seriously injured in Molo, Nakuru County, as police opened fire on demonstrators marking the first anniversary of Kenya’s deadly 2024 anti-Finance Bill protests.
Eyewitnesses said police fired live rounds at a crowd of youth who had gathered near the town center. The student, whose name had not been officially released by the time of reporting, died on the spot. Two of the injured are in critical condition and are receiving treatment at a local hospital.
The incident in Molo adds to a growing toll as demonstrations intensified across the country. By Wednesday afternoon, Kenyatta National Hospital had admitted at least ten people with injuries linked to protest violence. Medical personnel confirmed multiple cases of gunshot wounds.
The protests, led by youth activists across Kenya, mark one year since security officers fatally shot over 60 people during the 2024 anti-Finance Bill demonstrations. On June 25 last year, protesters stormed Parliament in Nairobi in a dramatic confrontation that ended in bloodshed. Most victims were under the age of 30.
Protesters in this year’s commemorations are demanding justice for the 2024 victims, an end to police violence, and greater government transparency. In Molo, Nakuru, Nairobi, Nyeri, and Kisii, demonstrators lit bonfires, blocked roads, and engaged police in confrontations. Footage shared online showed groups of youth carrying placards and chanting slogans near government buildings.
Despite the rising number of casualties, organizers say the protests will continue.
“We came to remember the lives lost, and now we are losing more,” said 18-year-old Kevin Mburu, who witnessed the shooting in Molo. “This is exactly why we are out here.”
In the capital, riot police fired tear gas and rubber bullets to break up crowds that had gathered near Parliament and State House. Government buildings were heavily fortified with razor wire barriers and armed security. Interior officials have not issued a public statement on the Molo incident or the wider protests.
Rights groups have condemned the use of force on unarmed demonstrators. Independent observers warned that continued state crackdowns risk deepening public anger and prolonging unrest.
While the government has insisted that police are acting within the law, the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights earlier cautioned against excessive force and urged respect for constitutional rights to peaceful assembly.
As night fell, small groups of protesters continued to march in parts of Nairobi and Kisumu, defying curfews and roadblocks.
The name of the Molo student is expected to be released following family identification. Authorities have not confirmed whether any officers will be held accountable for the shooting. Protesters are demanding a full investigation.
“We are not going anywhere,” said 20-year-old protester Stacy Muthoni in Nairobi. “We buried our friends last year. We are not afraid anymore.”
The demonstrations continue amid calls for dialogue, but with no sign yet of engagement from state officials. The atmosphere remains tense, and the demand for justice grows louder.
