NAIROBI, Kenya- At least two people have been killed in Mbeere North, Embu County, after protests over the poor state of a local hospital turned violent on Tuesday.
The victims were among a group of youths who had taken to the streets to demonstrate against the deteriorating condition of Ishiara Level 4 Hospital, a facility that has recently sparked outrage among residents.
Witnesses say the protests began peacefully before escalating when demonstrators blocked sections of the busy Embu Highway using stones and debris, paralysing transport for hours.
Tensions heightened in the afternoon after police officers moved in to disperse the crowd. A confrontation ensued, with reports indicating that officers fired live rounds as protesters resisted, resulting in the fatal shootings.
The unrest comes amid growing criticism of the hospital’s state, with residents and local leaders raising alarm over dilapidated infrastructure, including damaged roofs and inadequate services.
The incident marks yet another deadly clash between police and civilians in recent weeks, fuelling renewed debate over crowd control methods and the government’s response to rising public anger over service delivery.
