Kenyans Rally For Justice: Nationwide Protests Mark Anniversary Of 2024 Uprising.
Nairobi, Kenya – June 26, 2025 – Thousands of Kenyans took to the streets across the country on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, to commemorate the first anniversary of the 2024 anti-government protests, which saw young Kenyans, dubbed the “Gen Z movement,” storm parliament in opposition to a controversial finance bill. The latest demonstrations, sparked by ongoing grievances over police brutality, corruption, and governance, have reignited public calls for accountability and reform, though they were marred by violence, with at least 16 deaths and over 400 injuries reported.
The protests began peacefully in Nairobi’s Central Business District, where demonstrators waved Kenyan flags, held placards honoring those killed in last year’s unrest, and chanted slogans such as “Ruto must go” and “No justice, no budget.” The marches were organized to honor the more than 60 people killed during the 2024 protests, which were initially triggered by proposed tax hikes in the Finance Bill 2024. This year’s demonstrations also drew significant attention due to the recent death of 31-year-old blogger and teacher Albert Omondi Ojwang, who died in police custody on June 8, 2025, after being arrested for criticizing a senior police official on social media.
A Tragic Turn
The peaceful demonstrations escalated into violence as police clashed with protesters in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, and other cities. According to Amnesty International Kenya and the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), at least 16 people were killed, most by police action, with at least five deaths attributed to gunshot wounds. Over 400 individuals, including protesters, police officers, and journalists, were injured, some seriously, with reports of live rounds, rubber bullets, and tear gas being used to disperse crowds. In Matuu, approximately 100 kilometers from Nairobi, two protesters died from gunshot wounds, one succumbing to excessive bleeding from an abdominal injury.
The KNCHR reported that 83 people were seriously injured, with at least eight being treated for gunshot wounds. In Nairobi, businesses shut down, and court facilities in Kikuyu, Kiambu County, were torched by protesters. A security guard for Kenya Power was fatally shot while patrolling the company’s headquarters in Nairobi, and a street vendor, Boniface Kariuki, was critically injured after being shot at close range by a police officer during a protest on June 17.
Government Response and Media Blackout
The government faced significant criticism for its handling of the protests. The Communications Authority of Kenya ordered television and radio stations, including NTV, KTN, K24, and Kameme, to halt live coverage of the demonstrations, citing violations of the Constitution and the Kenya Information and Communications Act. This move was widely condemned as an attempt to suppress press freedom, with Uganda’s National Association of Broadcasters calling it a violation of responsible journalism. A Nairobi court later suspended the order, allowing stations to resume broadcasts.
President William Ruto, who faced the biggest crisis of his presidency during the 2024 protests, condemned the violence but urged protesters not to disrupt public order. His administration has been accused of failing to address the root causes of public discontent, including corruption, unemployment, and rising living costs. In response to Ojwang’s death, Ruto called it “heartbreaking and unacceptable,” and a police constable was arrested in connection with the case after an autopsy revealed that Ojwang had been tortured.
A Call for Accountability
The protests have highlighted longstanding issues with police brutality and impunity in Kenya. Rights groups, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have called for independent investigations into the deaths and injuries, as well as accountability for security forces. The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) announced it would investigate allegations of police brutality during the June 25 protests, collaborating with the KNCHR to ensure transparency.
“We are fighting for the rights of our fellow youths and Kenyans who died since June 25… we want justice,” said Lumumba Harmony, a protester in Nairobi. Demonstrators like 24-year-old Eve emphasized the need for police to protect rather than harm citizens, stating, “They are supposed to protect us, but they kill us.” The protests have also drawn international attention, with the U.S., U.K., and other Western embassies issuing a joint statement urging all parties to facilitate peaceful demonstrations and refrain from violence.
A Divided Movement
While the 2024 protests were marked by their leaderless, decentralized nature, driven by young Kenyans mobilizing on social media platforms like X, TikTok, and Instagram, the current movement faces challenges. Some activists, like Kasmuel McOure, have aligned with establishment figures, causing divisions within the Gen Z movement. Others, like Hanifa Adan, remain committed to street protests, emphasizing that state violence has only strengthened their resolve. Despite these splits, the protests have transcended ethnic and geographic divides, uniting Kenyans in their demand for better governance.
Looking Forward
As Kenya marks the anniversary of the 2024 protests, the nation stands at a crossroads. The government’s decision to avoid contentious tax hikes in the 2025 finance bill was an attempt to prevent unrest, but public anger over police brutality and systemic issues persists. Analysts like Mikhail Nyamweya note that trust in the government, particularly among younger Kenyans, remains low, with many viewing the state as “unresponsive and detached.”
The protests, while tragic in their toll, have showcased the resilience of Kenya’s youth and their determination to hold leaders accountable. As the nation mourns its losses, the calls for justice, transparency, and reform grow louder, signaling that the fight for a fairer Kenya is far from over.
