Kenya is once again in the global spotlight as youth-led protests have swept across the country, leaving at least 16 people dead and over 400 injured.
The demonstrations, which erupted on June 25, marked the one-year anniversary of the deadly 2024 anti-tax protests and have since evolved into a broader movement against police brutality, government corruption, and economic hardship.
The protests were sparked by the death of 31-year-old blogger and activist Albert Ojwang, who died in police custody after accusing a senior officer of corruption.
His death, widely seen as a symbol of state impunity, ignited outrage among Kenya’s Generation Z—young people born between the late 1990s and early 2010s—who have become increasingly disillusioned with President William Ruto’s administration.
What began as peaceful demonstrations quickly turned violent. Protesters chanting “Ruto must go” clashed with police in major cities including Nairobi, Mombasa, and Kisumu.
Security forces responded with tear gas, rubber bullets, and, in many cases, live ammunition.
Amnesty International reported that some police officers even encouraged families to forgo autopsies and bury victims quickly, raising serious concerns about accountability.
The government’s response has been widely criticized. The Communications Authority of Kenya attempted to ban live media coverage of the protests, a move condemned by civil society groups as unconstitutional and an attack on press freedom.
Although the ban was later overturned by the courts, it underscored the growing tension between the state and its citizens.
Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen labeled the protests an “attempted coup” by “criminal anarchists,” while opposition leaders and human rights organizations have called for justice and reform.
Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, reemerging in public discourse, warned that the country is “headed in the wrong direction” and urged leaders to listen to the youth rather than dismiss their grievances.
The protests have also reignited debate over Kenya’s economic trajectory. Many young people feel betrayed by Ruto’s unfulfilled promises of social reform and job creation.
With inflation rising and opportunities scarce, the frustration has boiled over into the streets.
As the dust settles, the question remains: will Kenya’s leadership heed the call for change, or will the cycle of protest and repression continue?