NAIROBI — Dozens of Kenyans gathered in the streets Thursday under a heavy security presence to honor those who lost their lives two years ago when sweeping anti-government protests swept through Nairobi amid outrage over proposed tax increases and a rising cost of living.
Organizers had called for remembrance marches in both the coastal city of Mombasa and the capital Nairobi, marking the second anniversary of the June 25, 2024 unrest — a day when demonstrations intensified sharply, protesters broke through the gates of parliament, and a subsequent security crackdown resulted in dozens of deaths.
The night before the marches, Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen issued a stern warning, stating that anyone attempting to engage in “chaos, looting, destroy property, disrupt businesses, or commit any other criminal acts” would face “the full force of the law.” He also said investigators were already looking into reports of people organizing gangs and acquiring weapons ahead of the anniversary.
In Mombasa, dozens of marchers participated while accompanied by security personnel. Meanwhile, Nairobi’s streets were largely empty, with police deploying roadblocks, water cannons, and razor wire barriers outside parliament. Businesses and restaurants in the central district — the heart of previous demonstrations — remained closed throughout the day.
“Today we remember our comrades who died in the demonstrations,” said John Maina, 26, speaking to Reuters in Nairobi. “They were not fighting for any profit, that is why we remember them, it’s not a protest, it’s a remembrance.”
In Nairobi, opposition leaders joined families of slain protesters and victims of alleged police violence in a march toward parliament, where they placed flowers and candles outside the building.
Brian Musyoka, a 37-year-old motorbike taxi driver, told Reuters the business shutdown was compounding the financial strain already felt by everyday Kenyans. “There is not much work, I may not make anything to cover the loan that paid for this electric bike,” he said.
Protest organizers stated their goals include securing justice for victims, obtaining credible investigations into past police conduct, and winning guarantees that excessive force will not be used against demonstrators in the future.
Last week, the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi issued an advisory urging American citizens in Kenya to stay away from protest areas and crowds, and to anticipate traffic disruptions and roadblocks on Thursday.
President William Ruto announced last week that 2 billion Kenyan shillings — roughly $15.5 million — had been set aside for victims of protest-related rights abuses through a national reparations program. However, rights groups and civil society organizations argue that financial compensation alone does not constitute true accountability for the alleged actions of security forces, and have called on Ruto to issue a public apology.
