Kenyans Mobilize Again: Anniversary Protests Reignite Economic Discontent

Thousands thronged the streets to commemorate last year's protests against a controversial tax scheme, which escalated into violence and casualties.

On June 25, 2025, a year following a deadly series of demonstrations against a controversial tax proposal, throngs of protesters filled the streets of Kenya, showcasing anger towards President William Ruto's administration over escalating economic burdens and perceived police violence.

In central Nairobi, police deployed tear gas against demonstrators waving Kenyan flags and sounding whistles while shops and banks closed their doors in anticipation of unrest. Officers positioned barbed wire to block main roads leading to Parliament and other key areas of the capital, illustrating the tense environment.

"Many of us are being killed without reason," voiced Don Cliff Ochieng, a 24-year-old security guard, highlighting his grievances surrounding police brutality and limited job prospects. "It is our right to demonstrate," he asserted alongside fellow protestors.

Ahead of the protests, Kenya's Director of Criminal Investigations, Douglas Kanja Kirocho, called on citizens to avoid provocations directed at law enforcement. This anniversary of the protests recalls last year's widespread dissent triggered by the proposed finance bill—deemed to exacerbate the cost of living by increasing taxes on essential goods, a move that drew intense backlash particularly from the youth.

The initial protests peaked last year when tens of thousands rallied against the tax plan. Demonstrations in Nairobi turned violent as protestors clashed with police and attempted to storm the legislature, setting the entrance ablaze and causing lawmakers to flee. As frustrations mount, the echoes of the past linger, signaling ongoing unrest in the wake of unmet demands for economic improvement and justice.