On June 25, 2025, Kenyans took to the streets in large numbers to commemorate the tragic anniversary of protests that turned violent last year, sparked by an unpopular tax proposal. Demonstrators in Nairobi waved flags, blew whistles, and expressed their frustrations over economic hardships, demanding accountability from the government. With a significant police presence, local businesses and banks closed their doors, and police deployed tear gas to disperse crowds.
Kenyans Rise Again: Protests Erupt Marking One Year Since Tax Unrest
Kenyans Rise Again: Protests Erupt Marking One Year Since Tax Unrest
Tensions escalate in Kenya as citizens protest against economic challenges and government accountability on the anniversary of last year's deadly demonstrations.
As protests intensified, authorities closed roads leading to the city center and fortified access to Parliament with barbed wire. In the coastal city of Mombasa, demonstrators voiced their dissent against the government, emphasizing the lack of economic opportunities and the pervasive issue of police violence. Amidst the clashes, public sentiment echoed the words of protester Don Cliff Ochieng, who highlighted the widespread resentment over unaddressed grievances.
The unrest comes exactly one year after last year’s protests, which saw widespread mobilization, particularly among the youth, driven largely by social media outcry against the finance bill viewed as detrimental to the cost of living. The approval of the plan on June 25, 2024, led to confrontations between protestors and police, culminating in an attack on Parliament.
As the anniversary unfolds, the challenges facing Kenyans appear more pronounced than ever, raising questions about government responsiveness to the people's needs.
The unrest comes exactly one year after last year’s protests, which saw widespread mobilization, particularly among the youth, driven largely by social media outcry against the finance bill viewed as detrimental to the cost of living. The approval of the plan on June 25, 2024, led to confrontations between protestors and police, culminating in an attack on Parliament.
As the anniversary unfolds, the challenges facing Kenyans appear more pronounced than ever, raising questions about government responsiveness to the people's needs.
