Kenya Protest:On the anniversary of Kenya’s 2024 anti-finance bill protests, thousands took to the streets again, demanding justice, reforms, and an end to police brutality. At least 16 people died, hundreds were injured, and the government is once more under intense scrutiny from both citizens and the international community.
Kenya Protest: Kenya Gen Z Leads Renewed Protest Movement Against Police Brutality and Government
June 25, 2025, marked a powerful and painful moment for thousands of Kenyans as they flooded the streets across all 47 counties to commemorate last year’s anti-government protests, which had turned deadly. The demonstrations, sparked initially in 2024 by widespread outrage over proposed tax hikes, had led to more than 60 deaths and were among the largest youth-led uprisings in Kenya’s recent history.
This year’s anniversary protests were again dominated by Kenya’s Gen Z—young citizens demanding justice, systemic police reforms, and an end to corruption. But what began as peaceful remembrance quickly devolved into scenes of chaos, mirroring the brutalities of the past.
According to Amnesty Kenya, at least 16 people lost their lives in the 2025 commemorative protests, most of them killed by police. Over 400 others were injured in clashes with law enforcement, who were reported to have used rubber bullets, water cannons, and even live ammunition. Kenya’s National Commission on Human Rights echoed these concerns, noting excessive use of force and heavy police deployment throughout the capital Nairobi and other major towns.
Reports indicate that scattered groups of protesters ripped up flagstones to use as projectiles, while others chanted slogans calling for President William Ruto’s resignation. The port city of Mombasa and inland towns including Kirinyaga, Kisii, Machakos, and Nyeri also witnessed similar unrest. Kenya’s Independent Policing Oversight Authority confirmed at least 61 arrests made during the nationwide protests.
A senior official from Nairobi’s Kenyatta National Hospital reported receiving dozens of injured citizens, many with trauma from crowd dispersal tactics and police beatings. The government, in a widely criticized move, ordered all TV and radio stations to halt live coverage of the protests. This censorship attempt was later overturned by the High Court, reinforcing citizens’ right to information and free press.
What further inflamed tensions was the recent killing of a blogger and a teacher while in police custody earlier this month. The public viewed these deaths as stark reminders of the deep-rooted culture of impunity within Kenya’s security agencies. Even peaceful protestors weren’t spared—last week, demonstrators were attacked by a gang of motorbike-riding thugs, locally referred to as “goons,” believed to be operating in collusion with law enforcement.
Protestors condemned the state’s apparent use of vigilante groups to silence dissent. “We urge the government to let us demonstrate peacefully instead of chasing us away violently,” said one demonstrator. “We strongly condemn the use of goons to disperse peaceful protesters. Whatever you reap, you will sow. If politicians continue using goons as a tactic, they will face the wrath of Kenyans.”
The international community also weighed in. Rights groups and foreign governments expressed alarm over the violence, urging restraint, dialogue, and respect for peaceful assembly. There is growing concern that Kenya could spiral into deeper instability if the government fails to listen to the legitimate grievances of its young population.
News Channels highlighted how the spirit of the Kenyan youth continues to shape the political narrative. The movement has become more than a protest against tax—it is now a powerful symbol of generational awakening, civic participation, and a demand for accountability in governance.
As Kenya continues to grapple with public discontent, these protests serve as a stark reminder: ignoring the cries for justice only fuels the fire for change. The youth have spoken, and the world is watching.