Pakistan, June 27 -- NAIROBI - At least 16 people were killed during violent protests across Kenya on Wednesday, Amnesty International confirmed. The demonstrations, originally meant to mark one year since anti-tax rallies, quickly spiraled into chaos, leaving businesses destroyed and entire neighborhoods in shock.

Although the marches began peacefully, unrest erupted when young protesters clashed with police, lit fires, and tore up pavements to hurl as projectiles. Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen strongly condemned the violence, calling it "terrorism disguised as dissent." He said looters and rioters exploited the protest to unleash destruction and fear.

In Nairobi's business district, the damage was widespread. Reporters...