A wave of grief and anger swept through Kenya on Wednesday, June 25, as at least 16 people were killed and over 400 others injured during violent anti-government protests across the country. Amnesty International and the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights confirmed the staggering casualty figures after widespread clashes between security forces and demonstrators.
Nairobi bore the brunt of the violence, with protesters, journalists, and police officers caught in the chaos. Eyewitnesses reported that security forces used live ammunition, rubber bullets, and teargas, while demonstrators responded with rocks and barricades. The protests, fueled by frustration over President William Ruto’s controversial tax policies and rising living costs, escalated rapidly as thousands poured into the streets.
The demonstrations coincided with the one-year anniversary of the deadly 2024 youth-led uprising that saw over 60 people killed by security forces. Protesters waved Kenyan flags and carried placards showing images of slain activists, chanting slogans like “Ruto must go” and “We are tired.”
In a defiant show of solidarity, youth groups, students, and opposition figures gathered in major towns beyond Nairobi, including Matuu and Eldoret, demanding justice for those killed in past and current crackdowns. Many demonstrators emphasized that their fight was not just about taxes but about ending police brutality and government corruption.
Angel Mbuthia, Chairperson of the Jubilee Party’s Youth League, called June 25 a “memorial of resistance,” stressing that young Kenyans were determined to hold the government accountable for every drop of blood spilled.
The government responded by deploying armed police, blocking access roads to key government installations, and reportedly ordering local media houses to suspend live broadcasts of the protests. Several journalists reported being attacked while covering the events.
As tension remains high, human rights organizations have called for an immediate independent investigation, while social media continues to trend with hashtags like #RejectFinanceBill2025 and #EndPoliceBrutality.
