Deadly Anniversary Protests Rock Kenya
Kenya was rocked by widespread, deadly anti-government protests on Wednesday, June 25, 2025. The demonstrations took place across the country, including the capital Nairobi and cities like Mombasa, Kisii, Kikuyu, Matuu, Mlolongo, and Karatina. They were held to mark the solemn anniversary of violent protests one year prior, which saw dozens killed by security forces during demonstrations against proposed tax increases.
While some areas remained peaceful, clashes between protesters and police, particularly in Nairobi, quickly escalated into violence, resulting in significant casualties, widespread damage, and a tense standoff with the government.
Rising Casualties and Widespread Injuries Reported
The human toll of the protests was stark, though initial figures varied. A joint statement from the Kenya Medical Association, Law Society of Kenya, and the Police Reforms Working Group reported that at least eight protesters were killed, primarily in Nairobi. They also stated over 400 people were injured nationwide, including three police officers. Of those injured, 83 required serious medical attention, with at least eight protesters suffering gunshot wounds.
However, the human rights group Amnesty Kenya and other rights watchdogs placed the death toll higher, reporting that as many as 16 people had died. The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) indicated that all deaths reported to them appeared to be from gunshot wounds. Emergency responders across 23 counties where protests occurred also reported treating numerous gunshot injuries. Unconfirmed reports from local media suggested police may have opened fire on demonstrators outside the capital as well. A security guard in Nairobi was also fatally shot during the unrest.
Why Kenyans Protested: Grievances Deepen
The protests were fueled by a confluence of long-standing grievances and recent events. At their core, the demonstrations aimed to commemorate the lives lost in the deadly June 25, 2024, protests, which saw police open fire on crowds, killing at least 60 according to rights groups. Activists stressed the importance of this remembrance, particularly for young Kenyans who lost peers fighting for good governance.
Beyond commemoration, protesters chanted slogans like “Ruto Must Go,” demanding the resignation of President William Ruto’s government. Their frustration stems from unfulfilled promises of economic recovery, persistent corruption, high taxes, inflation, and widespread youth unemployment. Demonstrators also called for an end to police brutality and sought accountability for past and present abuses.
A Recent Trigger: Death in Police Custody
A significant recent event that exacerbated tensions and helped trigger the June 25, 2025, protests was the death of 31-year-old blogger and teacher Albert Ojwang earlier in June. Ojwang died in police custody shortly after being arrested for allegedly insulting a senior police official on social media. Police initially claimed his death was self-inflicted, but an autopsy revealed he died from assault wounds. This contradicted the police narrative and sparked widespread outrage and calls for justice. Three police officers were later charged with Ojwang’s murder, and the senior official accused of ordering his arrest stepped aside pending an investigation. President Ruto himself acknowledged Ojwang “died at the hands of the police,” calling it “heartbreaking and unacceptable.” Ojwang’s widow emphasized the importance of protesting to make voices heard.
How the Day Unfolded: Clashes, Force, and Destruction
Authorities anticipated the protests, and preparations were evident. Police cordoned off key areas like State House and Parliament with razor wire and barricades. Many schools and businesses in Nairobi’s central business district shut down for the day. The Interior Ministry issued warnings to protesters.
While the initial marches in some areas were reportedly peaceful and smaller than the previous year’s protests, scenes in Nairobi and other towns quickly turned violent. Witness accounts described police deploying tear gas, water cannons, and rubber bullets to disperse crowds attempting to reach government buildings. Rights groups and witnesses also reported the use of live fire by police.
Adding to the chaos, some accounts noted the presence of men believed to be undercover security officials or “goons” armed with whips and clubs, who attacked protesters, sometimes even as police observed. Over 60 people were arrested nationwide in connection with the protests.
Protester actions also contributed to the violence. Some burned security barricades, attacked suspected plain-clothed officers, and used ripped-up pavement as projectiles. In Nairobi, unidentified groups among the demonstrators also engaged in looting and arson, attacking and burning shops and businesses in the central business district. Business owners described widespread devastation, with entire shopping centers and thousands of businesses destroyed or ransacked. In Kikuyu town, protesters stormed and torched local government buildings, including a police station and courtroom.
Kenya’s Interior Minister, Kipchumba Murkomen, strongly condemned the violence, describing the demonstrations as “terrorism disguised as dissent.” He accused protesters of being “criminal anarchists” responsible for violence, looting, and destruction, and claimed they were attempting a coup.
Government Response and Context
Amidst the unrest, the government initially ordered major television and radio stations to cease live broadcasting of the protests, a move widely condemned as censorship. However, the High Court in Nairobi quickly overturned this directive, ordering signals restored.
President Ruto, who was attending a burial outside the capital during the height of the protests, appealed for peaceful demonstrations. He urged Kenyans not to jeopardize the country’s peace and stability, emphasizing collective responsibility. The National Police Service Commission also called for officers to uphold professionalism and restraint, even when provoked.
The events unfolded against a backdrop of ongoing tensions since the June 2024 anti-tax protests. Although President Ruto withdrew the controversial 2024 Finance Bill after those protests, public anger over the government’s handling of dissent and security force conduct remained high. Rights groups continue to report scores of abductions and disappearances of government critics since last year, often widely believed to be carried out by security agents, accusations authorities deny. Activists warn these tactics are reminiscent of Kenya’s authoritarian past.
The Morning After: Devastation and Uncertainty
By Thursday morning, calm had returned to Nairobi, but signs of devastation were visible. Smoke rose from torched buildings, and business owners returned to ransacked and looted stores in the central business district, facing immense losses.
Meanwhile, President Ruto assented to the new Finance Bill 2025. While proposed tax increases were removed from this version, it controversially included a clause granting the Kenya Revenue Authority access to taxpayers’ personal and financial data.
It remains unclear how the government intends to address the broader, deep-seated demands of the protesters concerning governance, economic hardship, and accountability for violence and human rights abuses. The deadly anniversary protests underscore the persistent anger and volatility beneath the surface of Kenyan society.
