BY VIONA SIMIYU

One person was shot dead and two others were injured after clashes broke out between police and residents in Nairobi’s Mathare informal settlement on Tuesday, following protests over the alleged abduction of activists.

The confrontation came amid rising tension over claims that some activists were taken by security agencies in the days leading up to the June 25 demonstrations commemorating protesters who died during previous anti-government protests.The Kenyan capital had been heavily guarded last week as authorities deployed large numbers of police officers ahead of the planned day of remembrance. Although the day passed without major unrest, several activists were arrested while others were reported missing for days.

Fresh demonstrations broke out in Mathare on Tuesday as residents and activists demanded answers over the whereabouts of two individuals, identified as Maxwell Kiarie and Abdulaziz Molu.According to Wanjira Wanjiru of the Mathare Social Justice Centre, the activists had planned to hold a peaceful gathering to push for the release of the two men, whom she said were allegedly “abducted under unclear circumstances” over the past two weeks.

“The action underscores growing concern over enforced disappearances,” Wanjiru said in a statement, raising concerns over what activists describe as a growing pattern of people being taken without explanation.An AFP journalist at the scene reported witnessing the shooting incident that left one person dead and two others wounded as police engaged residents in running battles.

Images shared on social media appeared to show groups of young people confronting police officers, with clouds of tear gas seen spreading between buildings as officers attempted to disperse crowds.

The protests add to ongoing public debate over alleged violations of human rights and calls for accountability from security agencies. Activists have continued to demand investigations into reported cases of disappearances and arrests linked to demonstrations.Mathare, located on the eastern side of Nairobi, is one of the capital’s largest informal settlements, hosting hundreds of thousands of residents and has previously witnessed demonstrations over social and political issues.

Authorities had not immediately issued a detailed statement regarding the shooting, injuries, or allegations surrounding the disappearance of the two activists.