Clashes Erupt in Kenya on Anniversary of 2024 Anti-Government Protests

NAIROBI, Kenya – June 25, 2025 —

Two people have been killed and hundreds injured as fresh clashes erupted between demonstrators and police during nationwide protests in Kenya, marking one year since the deadly youth-led uprising that shook the country in 2024.

Thousands took to the streets across major towns and cities on Tuesday to commemorate the first anniversary of the anti-government protests that saw the storming of parliament and left over 60 people dead last year. While many of the anniversary gatherings were peaceful, tensions escalated in several areas, leading to violent confrontations.

In Matuu, a town about 100 kilometers northeast of Nairobi, two fatalities were reported amid running battles between demonstrators and police forces. Medical sources confirmed that at least 10 people with gunshot wounds were admitted to hospitals, while eyewitnesses reported excessive use of tear gas and live ammunition in dispersing crowds.

The protests, largely organized by Kenya’s Gen Z youth, echoed last year’s mass mobilizations against President William Ruto’s government following controversial tax hikes. The 2024 demonstrations culminated in the storming of parliament on June 25, leaving dozens dead and many more missing in the aftermath.

On Tuesday, Kenyan authorities moved swiftly to control the narrative. A government directive ordered broadcasters to cease live coverage of the protests, and several social media platforms appeared to be restricted or throttled, raising concerns over press freedom and digital rights.

Human rights groups have condemned the government’s response, calling for an immediate investigation into the latest fatalities and the broader crackdown on civil liberties.

“This continued repression only deepens the wounds of last year,” said a spokesperson for the Kenya Human Rights Commission. “Kenyans have a right to assemble, protest, and seek accountability—especially on such a symbolic day.”

As tensions remain high, civic groups and international observers are urging dialogue and restraint, warning that a repeat of 2024's violence would be a grave setback for the country’s democracy.