Nationwide Protests Rock Multiple Counties as Kenyans Mark June 25 Anniversary
From Nairobi to Mombasa, Nyeri to Eldoret, protesters turned out in large numbers, demanding justice, reforms, and an end to police brutality.
Protesters in Eldoret. Photo/Courtesy.
By Robert Assad
Kenyans across the country poured into the streets on Tuesday, June 25, 2025, to mark the anniversary of the deadly anti-Finance Bill demonstrations held a year ago. From Nairobi to Mombasa, Nyeri to Eldoret, protesters turned out in large numbers, demanding justice, reforms, and an end to police brutality.
In Nairobi, hundreds gathered as early as 7 a.m., despite heavy police presence and roadblocks around the Central Business District (CBD). Determined demonstrators weaved through side streets, chanting slogans and waving placards as police tried to disperse them.
In Mombasa, the day began with a solemn mass at ACK Cathedral on Nkrumah Road. Protesters then marched through Moi Avenue toward Mapembeni, where the demonstration officially kicked off. The march was peaceful but powerful, held in honour of those killed in the 2024 protests.
In Kisii, the situation was more tense. Protesters clashed with police, lighting bonfires and blocking key roads. Running battles were witnessed as tear gas filled the air and crowds ducked through alleyways to regroup.
Eldoret saw massive participation, mostly from youth. The demonstration began at the town’s main market and snaked through the streets, paralyzing business. Riot police were deployed in droves as shops and stalls shuttered their doors in fear of looting or damage.
In Kitengela, chaos erupted as demonstrators took over the Nairobi-Namanga Road, blocking it with stones and setting tyres ablaze. Riot police responded with teargas in an attempt to restore order. The confrontation lasted for over two hours, with traffic and business activities grinding to a halt.
In Nyeri, residents turned out in significant numbers, matching the energy seen in other urban centres. Protesters held placards and chanted anti-government slogans through the town’s central streets.
Kisumu, however, saw a more subdued response. The city remained largely calm, with government offices, supermarkets, and major banks operating normally. Still, several small businesses opted to stay closed as a precaution.
In Makueni, demonstrators blocked the Mombasa-Nairobi Highway, igniting bonfires along the road. Police responded with tear gas, trying to clear the highway and restore the flow of traffic.
Smaller protests were reported in Bungoma, particularly at Chwele Market, and in Embu, where bonfires were lit around the Cylet area as anti-riot police maintained watch.
Kiambu County also joined the wave of demonstrations, with protesters lighting fires along Thika Road near the Tatu City junction in Ruiru Subcounty.
Meanwhile, in Kajiado, protesters obstructed sections of the Namanga–Nairobi Highway, disrupting transport and prompting police to use tear gas to break up crowds.
Tuesday’s protests mark a significant moment in Kenya’s civic space, with citizens once again taking to the streets in pursuit of justice and systemic reform. While most protests remained peaceful, the response by law enforcement in various regions has drawn renewed scrutiny and calls for accountability.
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