Nairobi, Kenya — June 25, 2025
Violence flared on the streets of Nairobi and other Kenyan cities on Wednesday as thousands of protesters marked the first anniversary of last year’s deadly anti-government demonstrations, which left at least 60 people dead. Police responded with tear gas, water cannons, and heavily armed roadblocks, while protesters demanded justice, economic reforms, and the resignation of President William Ruto.
The demonstrations, initially billed as peaceful commemorative marches, quickly spiraled into chaos. Scattered groups of young demonstrators clashed with security forces, hurling stones and lighting bonfires around Nairobi’s central business district. One police officer and several protesters were reported injured in the skirmishes, according to eyewitnesses and AFP journalists at the scene.
Protesters carried Kenyan flags, waved leafy branches, and displayed placards featuring the faces of those killed in last year’s unrest. Chants of “Ruto must go” echoed through the capital as demonstrators laid flowers at police barricades near State House and parliament, both of which had been sealed off with barbed wire.
“We are marching against police brutality, oppression, high taxation — everything that is going wrong in this country,” said Anthony, a 25-year-old protester and flag vendor who declined to give his surname.
Nationwide Unrest and Economic Despair
The protests, which also spread to cities like Mombasa and Kisumu, underscore growing national discontent, especially among the youth. Many demonstrators voiced frustration over widespread unemployment and the government’s failure to deliver on promises of economic revival.
“People running here have degrees but no jobs,” said Samson Watenge Nyongesa, 31. “You cannot depend on this government right now.”
President Ruto, elected in 2022 on a platform of economic transformation, has faced mounting criticism over rising living costs, taxation, and alleged corruption. Though last year’s demonstrations forced the withdrawal of a controversial finance bill, the government has continued to struggle with economic stagnation and public distrust.
Heavy-Handed Police Response and Use of ‘Goons’
Human rights groups and Western diplomats have condemned the government’s security tactics, particularly the deployment of plainclothes officers and so-called “goons” — motorcycle gangs armed with clubs and whips — to intimidate or attack protesters. The U.S., U.K., and German embassies issued a joint statement last week criticizing the use of hired thugs to infiltrate peaceful demonstrations.
Although no “goons” were seen on Wednesday, police used extensive force, dispersing crowds with tear gas and arresting dozens. Security forces had also cordoned off key routes to government buildings as a precaution.
“There is nothing good to celebrate about the events that happened last year,” said political analyst and lawyer Javas Bigambo. “If we were serious about commemorating June 25, it should be in solemnity, prayer, and restraint.”
Concerns Over Rising Authoritarianism
The demonstrations follow a string of alarming reports from rights organizations documenting the disappearance of more than 80 government critics since last year, with dozens still missing. Activists warn of a return to authoritarian practices reminiscent of Kenya’s one-party rule in the 1980s and ’90s.
Despite earlier promises to end abductions, President Ruto struck a defiant tone on Tuesday, declaring his full support for the police.
“I will stand by the security forces,” Ruto said in a national address, brushing aside growing concerns over civil liberties and due process.
Looking Ahead
With opposition groups calling for continued protests and civil society demanding accountability for past abuses, tensions in Kenya remain high. Schools and businesses in several urban centres closed preemptively on Wednesday amid fears of escalating violence.
As the country confronts economic uncertainty, a volatile political climate, and rising youth unrest, the anniversary of the 2023 protests has become a stark reminder of unresolved grievances — and a test of Kenya’s democratic resilience.