Nationwide Protests Mark Anniversary of 2024 Anti-Finance Bill Demonstrations in Kenya

 

Kenyans across the country took to the streets on Tuesday, June 25, 2025, to mark the first anniversary of the deadly anti-Finance Bill protests that gripped the nation in 2024. The demonstrations, held in cities and towns from Nairobi to Mombasa, Eldoret to Nyeri, saw thousands of citizens demanding justice, systemic reforms, and an end to police brutality.

In the capital city, Nairobi, protestors began gathering as early as 7 a.m., defying heavy police presence and roadblocks aimed at restricting access to the Central Business District (CBD). Protesters, many of them youth, maneuvered through side streets and alleyways, chanting slogans and waving placards bearing messages like “No justice, no peace” and “We remember, we resist.” Officers attempted to disperse the crowds with tear gas, but demonstrators remained resilient.

In Mombasa, the day began with a solemn interfaith service at the ACK Cathedral on Nkrumah Road in honour of lives lost during last year’s protests. This was followed by a peaceful yet powerful march along Moi Avenue toward Mapembeni. Participants held up photos of victims and carried white roses, calling for an end to extrajudicial killings and impunity.

Clashes erupted in Kisii where tensions between protestors and police turned violent. Demonstrators lit bonfires and blocked major roads, leading to running battles with law enforcement as clouds of tear gas blanketed the town. Similar chaos was witnessed in Kitengela, where demonstrators blocked the Nairobi–Namanga Road with burning tyres and debris, paralyzing traffic for over two hours.

In Eldoret, large crowds—mostly comprised of youth—poured into the streets in one of the day’s most vibrant demonstrations. The march began at the town’s main market and wound through several streets, forcing businesses to temporarily close as riot police deployed in large numbers. Despite the heavy security presence, no major violence was reported.

Nyeri also witnessed a strong turnout. Protesters carrying placards and national flags chanted anti-government slogans as they marched peacefully through the town’s central streets. In contrast, Kisumu remained relatively calm, with normal activity reported across government offices and major commercial centers. However, several small businesses opted to remain shut as a precaution.

Protests in Makueni, Bungoma, Embu, and Kiambu were marked by bonfires and blocked roads. In Makueni, demonstrators barricaded the Mombasa–Nairobi Highway, leading to a prolonged standoff with anti-riot police. In Kiambu’s Ruiru Subcounty, protesters lit fires along Thika Road, causing significant transport disruption near the Tatu City junction.

Kajiado County also joined the nationwide protest wave. Sections of the Namanga–Nairobi Highway were obstructed by protestors, prompting police to fire tear gas in an attempt to restore order.

While most demonstrations remained peaceful, the response from law enforcement has sparked fresh calls for accountability and restraint. Human rights organizations have criticized what they describe as disproportionate use of force by security agencies in several counties.

“This day is not just about remembrance—it’s about reaffirming the right of citizens to demand better from their leaders,” said Njeri Mwangi, a civil society organizer who participated in the Nairobi march. “What we’re witnessing today is the rebirth of civic consciousness in this country.”

Tuesday’s protests mark a significant chapter in Kenya’s evolving civic landscape, one year after mass mobilizations over the Finance Bill shocked the nation and drew global attention. As citizens continue to demand transparency, justice, and reform, the events of June 25, 2025, may well prove to be a defining moment in the country’s democratic journey.