In brief
On June 25, 2025, thousands of demonstrators across Kenya commemorated a year since mass protests erupted over a contentious tax plan, which sparked violent confrontations with police and highlighted widespread discontent towards President William Ruto’s administration. The demonstrators, brandishing flags and honking whistles, faced police resistance in Nairobi, where tear gas was deployed, and central businesses were closed for their safety.
Witnesses reported that in Mombasa, crowds holding signs denouncing the government gathered in solidarity against rising economic challenges and police brutality. Don Cliff Ochieng, a young security guard, voiced the frustrations of many, stating, "Many of us are being killed with no reason" and insisted that their right to protest should be respected. The renewed protests echo a year ago, when Kenyans challenged a finance bill believed to increase living costs through elevated taxes. Those protests were notably driven by the youth utilizing social media platforms for organization. The approval of the bill by Parliament on June 25 last year ignited fierce clashes, causing unrest that included vandalism at the legislative building, which had to be evacuated in response to the chaos.Kenya's police chief, Douglas Kanja Kirocho, has since urged citizens to avoid provoking law enforcement amid these tensions, as the nation grapples with its mounting grievances against governance and social equality.
