Nairobi, June 26, 2025 — What began as a peaceful demonstration to mark the anniversary of Kenya’s 2023 anti-finance bill protests descended into chaos on Wednesday, as thousands of demonstrators clashed with police in several major cities. The unrest, fueled by lingering public anger over economic hardship, allegations of government corruption, and controversial tax proposals, left dozens injured and at least five dead.
The protests were organized to commemorate the “Finance Bill Uprising” of June 2023, when thousands of Kenyans, particularly youth, mobilized against a government bill that proposed steep tax increases. This year, demonstrators returned to the streets under the banner of “Saba Saba Reimagined,” demanding economic relief, transparency, and an end to what they describe as a government that has grown increasingly deaf to public outcry.
In Nairobi, crowds gathered early at Uhuru Park, waving Kenyan flags, chanting slogans, and holding placards that read “Hatutaki Mzigo Zaidi” (We Don’t Want More Burdens). What started as a solemn memorial and peaceful protest escalated by mid-afternoon as security forces moved in with tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowds.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as armored police units charged demonstrators, some of whom had begun throwing stones and makeshift projectiles. Small fires broke out in parts of the central business district. In Mombasa and Kisumu, similar confrontations unfolded, with local media reporting looting, property damage, and running battles between protesters and police.
“I was here to honor my brother who died in the 2023 protests,” said Mercy Atieno, a 27-year-old university graduate who has been unemployed for two years. “Now I’m running for my life again. Nothing has changed.”
According to the Kenya Red Cross, at least 47 people were injured in the capital alone, including several who sustained bullet wounds. The Ministry of Interior confirmed five fatalities but claimed all deaths were “unfortunate incidents currently under investigation.”
In a late-night address, President William Ruto condemned the violence but defended the police response, saying that “law and order must be maintained.” He acknowledged citizens’ frustrations but insisted reforms, including the recently withdrawn 2025 finance bill, were “in the long-term national interest.”
“We understand the pain Kenyans are feeling,” Ruto said. “But violence will not solve our problems. Dialogue is the only path forward.”
His words did little to quell the fury on social media, where hashtags like #RejectTheBill, #KenyaProtests, and #JusticeForJune26 trended throughout the day. Opposition leaders, civil society groups, and even some ruling party MPs criticized the heavy-handed police response, calling for an independent inquiry.
Analysts say the protests reflect more than just anger over taxes — they reveal a generation’s deep disillusionment with political elites and a failing economy. With youth unemployment soaring above 35%, inflation eroding wages, and a public debt crisis looming, many feel betrayed by leaders who campaigned on promises of economic revival.
“This is no longer just about a bill,” said Dr. Peter Nduati, a political economist at the University of Nairobi. “It’s about trust, or the lack of it. The social contract between the people and the state is fraying.”
As night fell, a tense calm returned to many cities, but the memory of violence — and the anger behind it — remained raw. For many Kenyans, June 26 will be remembered not just as a day of protest, but as a symbol of a nation at a crossroads.
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