Young protesters filled Murang'a streets Wednesday afternoon during nationwide demonstrations. The march started at 2 PM as crowds walked from the town center to Mukuyu area. Demonstrators carried signs honoring people killed during last year's anti-Finance Bill protests on June 25. Shop owners closed their stores early to protect their businesses from possible damage. The peaceful march continued as protesters returned to the main town area.
Protesters built several fires on the roads as local residents watched the events unfold. Many people took pictures and posed near the burning tires at traffic circles. Anti-riot officers arrived but stayed back at first as some demonstrators approached them for photographs. The crowd moved toward government buildings and the local police station singing protest songs. They later returned to the town center where the situation changed quickly.
Police decided to break up the gathering which led to street fights between officers and protesters. Security forces fired teargas containers at the crowd as young people threw rocks back at them. The battles brought all normal activities in Murang'a to a complete stop. Streets became covered with stones as the confrontation continued. The calm day turned into hours of conflict between law enforcement and memorial demonstrators.
Protesters built several fires on the roads as local residents watched the events unfold. Many people took pictures and posed near the burning tires at traffic circles. Anti-riot officers arrived but stayed back at first as some demonstrators approached them for photographs. The crowd moved toward government buildings and the local police station singing protest songs. They later returned to the town center where the situation changed quickly.
Police decided to break up the gathering which led to street fights between officers and protesters. Security forces fired teargas containers at the crowd as young people threw rocks back at them. The battles brought all normal activities in Murang'a to a complete stop. Streets became covered with stones as the confrontation continued. The calm day turned into hours of conflict between law enforcement and memorial demonstrators.
