Kenyans have taken to the streets in various parts of the country to mark the first anniversary of the June 25, 2024, Gen Z protests, with scenes of unrest, heightened security, and emotional tributes unfolding throughout the day.
In Nairobi, Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka and DAP-Kenya Party Leader Eugene Wamalwa led a solemn memorial service at the Holy Family Minor Basilica, where they joined Catholic faithful, survivors, and families of the fallen to lay wreaths in honour of the youth who lost their lives during last year’s anti-Finance Bill demonstrations. The leaders praised the youth for their resilience and demanded justice and reforms in memory of those killed.
Kalonzo described the fallen protesters as “the patriots of our time,” while Wamalwa urged the government to listen to the voices of Gen Z, warning that “suppressing truth only inflames resistance.”
Outside the church, tension gripped the Nairobi CBD as protesters began assembling outside Kenya National Archives, planning a symbolic march to Parliament. A separate group has already camped outside Nairobi Central Police Station, demanding the release of detained activists and condemning police brutality.
Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen, flanked by the full National Police Service leadership, was seen walking the streets of Nairobi, inspecting security deployments as the government braced for a day of countrywide demonstrations. Parliament remains heavily fortified with razor-sharp wire, while major roads leading into the CBD have been sealed off. Public Service Vehicles (PSVs) have been blocked from accessing the city centre.
Clashes have already been reported in Kitengela, where police engaged groups of youth in running battles, using teargas to disperse crowds attempting to march. In Embu Town, tension boiled over as demonstrators set tires ablaze and chanted anti-government slogans, intensifying the call for reforms under the trending hashtag #June25th2025.
This year’s protest anniversary has turned into a national day of reflection and resistance, with youth across the country calling for accountability, transparency, and the honoring of the lives lost in last year’s tragic crackdown.
