The Itibo Police Station in Nyamira County was set ablaze by an angry mob on Tuesday evening, July 8, 2025, following the fatal shooting of a student from Nyamira National Polytechnic during a peaceful protest.
The incident, part of the broader Saba Saba protests marking the 35th anniversary of the 1990 pro-democracy movement, has escalated tensions across Kenya, with the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) reporting 31 deaths nationwide, far exceeding the police’s claim of 11 fatalities.
The burning of the station, captured in viral videos on X, has sparked widespread outrage and renewed calls for police accountability amid allegations of brutality.
According to sources, the unrest began after two students were shot during a demonstration in Ekerenyo, Nyamira, on July 7, 2025, with one succumbing to injuries and another hospitalised.
The students were reportedly protesting economic hardships and governance issues, echoing demands from the Saba Saba protests that paralysed 17 counties and caused an estimated Sh18 billion daily GDP loss.
Eyewitnesses described police using live ammunition, a claim KNCHR corroborated, noting gunshot wounds as a primary cause of protest-related deaths.
@FGaitho237 posted on X, “Violence breeds violence, a natural law,” reflecting public sentiment that the shooting triggered the mob’s retaliation.
Clips shared by @citymirrorKE showed flames engulfing Itibo Police Station, with residents cheering as the structure burned to ashes.
The attack mirrors recent incidents, such as the burning of Ndunyu Njeru Police Station in Nyandarua on June 26, 2025, after a protester was shot, highlighting a pattern of public backlash against police actions.
The Nyamira incident has intensified scrutiny of Kenya’s security forces, already under fire for 16 deaths during June 2025 protests and the killing of blogger Albert Ojwang in custody, which sparked earlier unrest.
Local leaders, including Nyamira Woman Representative Jerusha Momanyi, condemned the violence but urged investigations into the shooting, calling for body camera footage to identify the officers involved.
The KNCHR demanded accountability, urging citizens to report violations via SMS to 22359.
On X, @smutoro wrote, “The hunter has become the hunted,” capturing the growing public anger.
Critics argue the government’s heavy-handed response, including roadblocks and alleged use of hooded gangs, has fuelled unrest, with opposition leader Raila Odinga calling for a national dialogue and referendum to address systemic issues.
The Itibo incident shows Kenya’s deepening crisis, with economic woes and youth unemployment driving protests.
Analysts warn that without reforms, such as implementing the 2024 NADCO report’s recommendations for police oversight, violence may escalate ahead of the 2027 elections.
