Nairobi, Kenya (Running Africa) — Kenyan police arrested more than 350 people on Thursday as nationwide protests marked the second anniversary of the deadly 2024 anti-government demonstrations that left at least 60 people dead.

The protests commemorated victims of the June 2024 youth-led uprising, during which demonstrators stormed Parliament in opposition to proposed tax increases and the rising cost of living. The unrest became one of the deadliest episodes of civil protest in Kenya’s recent history.

Authorities deployed heavily armed security forces across Nairobi, erecting roadblocks and using tear gas and water cannons to disperse crowds, bringing much of the capital’s central business district to a standstill.

Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen defended the security operation, describing those arrested as criminals and insisting the measures were necessary to maintain public order and prevent violence.

Police also dispersed peaceful memorial gatherings, including mourners attempting to lay flowers outside Parliament, while several participants were detained. Families of victims and opposition leaders were prevented from attending remembrance events, prompting criticism from rights advocates and opposition figures who accused the government of denying citizens the opportunity to honor those killed.

Relatives of the victims renewed calls for justice, accountability, and compensation, arguing that officers responsible for the deaths have yet to face prosecution. Protest organizers continue to demand an independent investigation into police conduct and stronger safeguards against excessive use of force.

The anniversary demonstrations underscore lingering public frustration over Kenya’s economic challenges, political tensions, and the unresolved legacy of the 2024 crackdown. Although President William Ruto has acknowledged cases of police misconduct and allocated 2 billion Kenyan shillings to compensate victims, many activists say meaningful accountability remains elusive.