| 2025 Kenyan protests | |
|---|---|
 Protesters in Nairobi | |
| Date | 9 June 2025 – 7 July 2025 |
| Location | |
| Caused by | Introduction of Kenya Finance Bill 2024 and subsequent death of Albert Ojwang |
| Goals | Resignation of William Ruto's government |
| Casualties | |
| Death(s) | 65 |
| Injuries | 553+ |
| Arrested | ≥532 |
The 2025 Kenyan protests are a series of youth-led demonstrations that began in June 2025, primarily in Nairobi, sparked by the death of blogger and teacher Albert Omondi Ojwang in police custody and fueled by public discontent over rising living costs, government corruption, and police brutality. These events built on the momentum of the 2024 Kenya Finance Bill protests, where demonstrations against proposed tax hikes led to 65 deaths and the storming of Parliament on 25 June 2024, prompting President Ruto to veto the bill. Public unsatisfaction still persist due to ongoing economic challenges and perceived lack of accountability for police violence.[1]
Background
[edit]Major protests against the government of Kenyan President William Ruto first emerged in 2024, with the introduction of the Kenya Finance Bill. The bill proposed an increase in taxation, leading to protests.[2]
A year later on 6 June 2025, Kenyan blogger and teacher Albert Omondi Ojwang was arrested by police on charges of "false publication",[3] reportedly in connection with a post on X that criticized the Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat.[4] Ojwang died in police custody two days later. According to a police statement he "sustained head injuries after hitting his head against the cell wall" and was subsequently "rushed to Mbagathi hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival".[4] Ojwang's death, along with broader public concerns over rising living costs and political corruption, led to the outbreak of demonstrations on 9 June 2025.[5]
The protests were largely organized over social media by Gen Z Kenyans. Youth activists who rallied the protestors had no leadership or formal structure. Some supporters of the movement have argued the lack of a centralized leadership represents a major strength, while others have argued for the need of a collective leadership in order to become a more serious force.[6]
Events
[edit]On 9 June 2025, protesters gathered in Nairobi.[5] Continued protests were met by police response the following week.[2] On 25 June, thousands of protesters gathered to commemorate protests over the Kenya Finance Bill.[7]
A total of 65 people died in clashes against police since June 17, including 50 in the first two weeks, and at least 500 others were injured.[1][8][9] In total, more than 100 people died across Kenya since last year in police crackdowns on waves of protests.[10] As a result of the protests, acting speaker David Ochieng Ouma temporarily adjourned the National Assembly on 25 June.[11]
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights said they documented that at least 532 people were arrested.[12]
On 30 June, mask vendor and bystander Boniface Kariuki succumbed to his injuries after being shot in the head at close range by a police officer on 17 June in Nairobi.[13] He was declared brain-dead in hospital by doctors at the national referral hospital. Two police officers were arrested over the shooting on the same day.[14] On July 11, a funeral was held for Kariuki with hundreds of mourners attending.[10]
Although the protests had dissipated by 1 July,[6] they resumed on 7 July, known in Kenya as Saba Saba Day, to coincide with the 35th anniversary of the 1990 pro-democracy march.[15] 41 people were killed and 29 others were injured after officers fired and hurled tear gas canisters, opened fire and used water cannons on protestors.[1][16] Dozens of officers also sustained injuries after being hit with stones.[17]
On July 7, 12-year-old Bridgit Njoki was shot in the head when a single bullet pierced the roof, puncturing the ceiling and striking her while she was watching television in the living room of her house. She was pronounced dead at the hospital within hours.[16]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c "Watchdog blames 'disproportionate force' by Kenya police for protest deaths". BBC News. 24 July 2025. Retrieved 27 July 2025.
- ^ a b Sampson, Eve; Dahir, Abdi Latif (25 June 2025). "At Least 8 Killed as Protesters Battle Police in Kenya". The New York Times.
- ^ Muia, Wycliffe (11 June 2025). "Kenyan blogger was hit and assaulted to death, autopsy reveals". BBC News. Archived from the original on 15 June 2025. Retrieved 27 June 2025.
- ^ a b Wandera, Akisa; Rukanga, Basillioh (9 June 2025). "Protest hits Kenya after shock death of man held by police". BBC News. Archived from the original on 11 June 2025. Retrieved 27 June 2025.
- ^ a b Sampson, Eve (19 June 2025). "Chilling Photos Capture Police Shooting Man, Fueling Anger in Kenya". The New York Times.
- ^ a b Wandera, Vivianne (1 July 2025). "For Kenya's Gen Z protesters, change means Ruto's exit. But what next?". The Africa Report. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
- ^ Okoth, Edwin; Malalo, Humphrey; Mumo, Vincent (26 June 2025). "Sixteen deaths recorded in Kenya protests, most killed by police, Amnesty Kenya says". Reuters.
- ^ "Kenya's president says 'enough is enough' and vows to end anti-government protests". CTV News. 9 July 2025. Archived from the original on 9 July 2025. Retrieved 9 July 2025.
- ^ "Kenya Gen Z protests see press freedom under fire". Deutsche Welle. 28 June 2025. Archived from the original on 29 June 2025. Retrieved 28 June 2025.
- ^ a b "Kenya mourns vendor killed in protests, as calls grow for Ruto to quit". Al Jazeera English. 11 July 2025. Archived from the original on 11 July 2025. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
- ^ Mwere, David (25 June 2025). "June 25 protests: House sitting put on hold amid Gen Z scare". Daily Nation. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
- ^ "Dozens are killed as antigovernment protests erupt across Kenya". Hiiraan Online. 9 July 2025. Archived from the original on 9 July 2025. Retrieved 9 July 2025.
- ^ "Kenyan vendor shot by police during protests dies after life support switched off". BBC News. 30 June 2025. Archived from the original on 30 June 2025. Retrieved 30 June 2025.
- ^ "Kenyan civilian shot at close range by police during protests dies". CTV News. 30 June 2025. Archived from the original on 30 June 2025. Retrieved 30 June 2025.
- ^ Princewill, Nimi (7 July 2025). "Kenyan police fire water cannon and tear gas at protesters as anti-government outrage grows". CNN. Archived from the original on 7 July 2025. Retrieved 7 July 2025.
- ^ a b "Mother mourns 'beautiful' 12-year-old shot while watching TV during Kenya protests". BBC News. 11 July 2025. Archived from the original on 17 July 2025. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
- ^ "Eleven killed in Kenya as protesters clash with police". Sky News. 7 July 2025. Archived from the original on 8 July 2025. Retrieved 8 July 2025.