Kenya at a Crossroads: One Year After Parliament Protests, Rage Erupts Again
One year after historic anti-government demonstrations rocked the streets of Kenya, the nation has once again been plunged into turmoil. What began as a commemoration of the youth-led uprising on June 25, 2024, has escalated into a powerful new wave of protests against corruption, police brutality, and systemic economic inequality. This time, the human cost is already staggering: 16 confirmed dead, over 400 injured, and widespread outrage reverberating across the country. These fresh demonstrations have cast a stark spotlight on a government that, despite pledging reform, appears more embattled than ever.
From Nairobi’s chaotic streets to the coastal city of Mombasa and towns like Kisii, Nyeri, and Kitengela, thousands of Kenyans rallied in remembrance of the lives lost during last year’s protests. Demonstrators waved national flags, held portraits of victims, and chanted slogans like “Ruto must go,” naming President William Ruto, whose economic reforms last year sparked national outrage.
“We are fighting for the rights of our fellow youths… we want justice,” said protester Lumumba Harmony, speaking to Reuters. It’s a sentiment shared widely, especially among the youth, who form the backbone of these protests.
The scale of violence reported on Wednesday underscores the growing tension between civilians and security forces. According to Amnesty International and the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), the fatalities were largely due to excessive police force. At least five of those killed were shot with live ammunition. Over 400 individuals including journalists and police officers were injured. “Most were killed by police,” noted Irungu Houghton, Executive Director of Amnesty Kenya.
The symbolic weight of June 25 was not lost on either the demonstrators or the state. This date marks the anniversary of a watershed moment in Kenya’s democratic history: the breaching of Parliament by protesters enraged by sweeping tax hikes in 2024. That moment resulted in at least 60 deaths and prompted global condemnation.
Twelve months later, the mood remains defiant but deeply wounded. One protester, Eve, 24, told AFP, “The police are supposed to protect us, but they kill us.” Her words mirror the sentiment of a generation that feels betrayed by those meant to safeguard their rights.
Despite public assurances that peaceful protests are permitted, demonstrators were met with tear gas, batons, water cannons, and, as many allege, live bullets. State broadcaster Citizen TV reported court facilities being torched in Kikuyu, while media outlets like NTV and KTN were temporarily pulled off the air for covering the protests live, in apparent defiance of a Communications Authority directive. A Nairobi court later lifted the broadcasting ban.
The 2025 demonstrations are not isolated incidents of unrest but are rooted in persistent grievances, particularly around extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances. Anger has intensified in recent weeks after the death of blogger and teacher Albert Ojwang, who was reportedly killed while in police custody after criticizing a senior officer. His death triggered outrage nationwide and led to the arrest and charging of six individuals, including three police officers.
More than 80 people have disappeared since last year’s demonstrations, according to human rights organizations, with many still unaccounted for. The use of plainclothes officers, unmarked vehicles, and alleged collaboration with armed civilian gangs have further eroded public trust in law enforcement. “The use of unidentified officers undermines accountability,” noted a joint diplomatic statement issued by the U.S., UK, and other Western nations.
Ruto’s Dilemma
President Ruto’s response has been defensive. In a recent speech, he warned demonstrators, “You cannot use force against the police or threaten them. You are threatening our nation.” It is a hardline stance that echoes the autocratic governance of Kenya’s past, a past many believed had been left behind.
Ruto was elected in 2022 on a platform of economic transformation and exclusivity. However, a year after the withdrawal of his controversial finance bill, many Kenyans say they have seen little improvement. Corruption, youth unemployment, and rising living costs continue to fuel public resentment. His critics accuse him of drifting toward authoritarianism, using force rather than reform to govern.
As dusk falls on a nation in mourning and resistance, Kenya finds itself at a political and moral crossroads. The bloodshed witnessed on June 25, 2025, evokes painful memories and fuels urgent questions about accountability, leadership, and the future of democracy in East Africa’s largest economy.
If the events of the past year have revealed anything, it’s that Kenya’s youth are no longer content with silence. They have mobilized not just for tax relief, but for dignity, justice, and a system that hears their voices instead of silencing them. As one young demonstrator told a reporter: “We are not afraid. We are determined.”
Berinyuy Cajetan is the founder and publisher of Human Rights and Legal Research Centre (HRLRC) since 2017. He has intensive experience in strategic communications for Civil Society Organizations, campaign and advocacy, and social issues. He has an intensive experiencing in human rights monitoring, documentation and reporting.
