Thousands of young Kenyans took to the streets across the country on June 25, 2025, in a powerful display of frustration against what they describe as bad leadership and rampant police brutality. The protests, marking the anniversary of the 2024 anti-tax demonstrations that saw over 60 deaths, turned deadly as clashes with security forces left at least 11 civilians dead and more than 400 injured, according to rights groups and medical reports.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen addressed the nation in a press briefing today, condemning the protests as “terrorism disguised as dissent” and an “unconstitutional attempt” to destabilize the government. He accused demonstrators of orchestrating violence, looting, and attacking key government installations, including nine police stations, five of which were torched, with five guns stolen. Murkomen claimed that 300 police officers were also injured during the unrest, asserting that security forces exercised “remarkable restraint” in the face of provocation.
President William Ruto and his administration have faced growing criticism for their handling of dissent, with many Kenyans, particularly the youth, accusing the government of arrogance, corruption, and excessive use of force. The protests were fueled by longstanding grievances, including rising taxes, economic hardship, and a wave of abductions targeting government critics since June 2024. Demonstrators chanted slogans like “Ruto Must Go” and waved branches as symbols of peaceful resistance, demanding accountability and justice for those killed in previous protests.
Rights groups, including Amnesty International Kenya, reported that most of the 16 deaths during the protests were caused by police action, with many victims suffering gunshot wounds. The Law Society of Kenya and the Kenya Medical Association expressed condolences, noting that 83 of the injured required specialized treatment for wounds from rubber bullets, live rounds, and tear gas canisters. The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) announced plans to investigate allegations of police brutality.
The government’s decision to ban live TV and radio coverage of the protests, later overturned by the Nairobi High Court, further escalated tensions. Critics, including activists and opposition figures, condemned the heavy-handed response and called for dialogue to address the root causes of public discontent, including corruption and economic policies that have deepened inequality.
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