Nairobi, Kenya – Marches across Kenya on Wednesday, marking one year since major anti-government demonstrations turned deadly, descended into chaos as clashes erupted between protesters and police. Two people were killed, and tear gas filled the streets of Nairobi, where police had cordoned off government buildings with barbed wire.
Thousands of people, including families of those killed in last year’s violence, initially gathered peacefully in central Nairobi and other towns. However, the situation quickly escalated as scattered groups began tearing up paving stones to throw at security forces. Protesters chanted demands for President William Ruto’s resignation, expressing their outrage.
“We are marching against police brutality, against oppression by the government, against high taxation, everything that is going wrong in this country,” stated Anthony, 25, a demonstrator who preferred to only give his first name.
Echoes of Past Violence and Growing Discontent
The protests on June 25, 2025, were held on the first anniversary of a day last year when a massive crowd stormed parliament. In weeks of demonstrations in 2024, at least 60 people were killed by security forces. These earlier protests were sparked by public anger over rising taxes and the dire economic conditions affecting many young Kenyans.
Tragically, the violence on Wednesday resulted in more fatalities. A hospital official reported that two people were shot and killed in Matuu, a town approximately 100 kilometers (65 miles) from the capital, with local media indicating that police had fired at the demonstrators. This echoes concerns from last year when unidentified police officers were reportedly seen shooting at protesters.
By late afternoon, despite police blockades, large crowds continued to advance towards Nairobi’s business district. The demonstrations also gained significant momentum outside the capital, notably in the port city of Mombasa. In response to the unrest, the government took steps to control information, ordering TV and radio stations to halt live coverage of the protests.
