Protesters rally nationwide on June 25 anniversary as police deploy heavily
In Eldoret, a group of baton-wielding youths suspected to be hired goons was seen near the city center, raising concerns about potential violence.
Photo/Courtesy.
By Brian Kiprop
Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets across Kenya on Wednesday to mark the first anniversary of the deadly anti-Finance Bill protests of 2024, reigniting calls for police accountability and justice, June 25.
A heavy police presence was reported in major cities including Nairobi, Mombasa and Eldoret, where key roads were sealed off early in the day, disrupting transportation and forcing commuters to walk to city centers.
In Nairobi, officers barricaded access to the Central Business District, turning away vehicles and screening pedestrians.
In Eldoret, a group of baton-wielding youths suspected to be hired goons was seen near the city center, raising concerns about potential violence. Police have not confirmed their identity or affiliations.
Activist groups and civil society leaders called for nationwide protests to demand justice for victims of police brutality. “We are here to say no more to impunity,” said [NAME], an organizer with [GROUP], speaking at a rally outside Nairobi’s Uhuru Park.
Last year’s protests, which began in opposition to proposed tax hikes in the 2024 Finance Bill, left dozens dead and sparked widespread condemnation of the Kenyan security forces’ response. Rights watchdogs have urged the government to hold officers accountable and enact reforms in crowd control tactics.
Authorities have not released an official statement on Wednesday’s demonstrations or arrests as of press time.
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