Kenya's Protests Escalate: 16 Dead as Grievances from 2024 Resurface
Nairobi, Kenya – Kenya is once again engulfed in widespread protests, with the death toll now at 16. These demonstrations are a potent resurgence of deep-seated public anger that first ignited into a significant movement in June 2024. TalkSocialTalk brings you a breakdown of the escalating crisis.
The Current Unrest: June 2025
The streets of Kenya are ablaze with discontent, marking the one-year anniversary of last year's massive anti-tax demonstrations. Protesters are not only commemorating those who died or were injured then but are fiercely demanding justice and accountability for police brutality. Tensions soared after the recent death of blogger Albert Ojwang in police custody and the shooting of a street hawker earlier this month. Activists claim President Ruto's past promises to curb police excesses remain unfulfilled, with no officers held accountable for previous killings.
Beyond specific incidents, these protests reflect a broader disillusionment with government corruption and perceived poor governance. Many young Kenyans, feeling detached from a political elite seen as living lavishly while the majority struggles, are at the forefront. Underlying these frustrations is persistent economic hardship, with high taxes and the soaring cost of living continuing to be major grievances for many struggling Kenyans.
The protests have escalated to outright calls for President William Ruto to resign, signaling a profound loss of faith in his leadership. Demonstrations have swept across 23 of Kenya's 47 counties, indicating widespread support and discontent, with significant turnouts in major cities like Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, and Eldoret.
Authorities have responded with a heavy police presence, deploying tear gas, rubber bullets, and, disturbingly, live ammunition to disperse crowds. Reports detail numerous gunshot wounds among the injured. Compounding the crisis, the Communications Authority of Kenya reportedly directed local media to halt live coverage, raising serious press freedom concerns and pushing Kenyans to rely heavily on social media for updates. As of June 26, 2025, at least 16 people have died and hundreds injured. There are also reports of property damage, including looted businesses and razed police stations.
Echoes of 2024: The Genesis of Discontent
The initial spark for Kenya's widespread protests in June 2024 was the government's proposed Finance Bill 2024, which aimed to introduce sweeping tax hikes on basic commodities and digital transactions. These protests were largely spearheaded by young Kenyans, particularly "Gen Z" and millennials, who masterfully mobilized on social media platforms like X, TikTok, and Instagram.
The demonstrations dramatically escalated, culminating in thousands of protesters storming the Kenyan Parliament Building in Nairobi on June 25, 2024, shortly after the finance bill was passed. The 2024 protests were met with a violent police crackdown, resulting in significant casualties; rights groups reported at least 60 people killed by police and hundreds injured.
In response to intense public pressure, President Ruto eventually announced he would not sign the 2024 Finance Bill and vowed to cut spending on public officials' benefits. However, some aspects of the bill were reportedly reintroduced later. Crucially, many of the underlying issues that fueled the 2024 protests – economic inequality, corruption, and police brutality – remained unresolved, directly contributing to the powerful resurgence of demonstrations in 2025.
In essence, the current protests are a continuation of a profound struggle for economic justice, accountability, and better governance that gained significant momentum last year. The rising death toll and the continued use of force by law enforcement have deepened the crisis, raising urgent human rights concerns.
What are your thoughts on how social media has impacted the scale and coordination of these protests?
