NAIROBI, Kenya- Kenya is preparing for nationwide demonstrations on June 25 as activists, families of victims and Gen Z groups mark the second anniversary of the 2024 anti-Finance Bill protests that culminated in the storming of Parliament and a deadly security crackdown.
The planned protests are expected to draw thousands of people across major towns, with organizers describing them as memorial marches to honour those killed during the 2024 demonstrations and to renew calls for accountability over alleged police brutality.
President William Ruto has acknowledged the constitutional right to protest but warned against violence, destruction of property and disruption of normal activities.
Speaking ahead of the demonstrations, Ruto said every Kenyan has the right to demonstrate peacefully but stressed that the rights of other citizens must also be protected.
He warned that schools, businesses and essential services should not be disrupted during the planned marches.
The President further said the government would not allow chaos, destruction of property or actions that undermine economic activity as the country marks the anniversary of the 2024 protests.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has also issued a stern warning ahead of the demonstrations, saying security agencies will act firmly against anyone engaging in criminal activities under the guise of protest.
Murkomen said while Article 37 of the Constitution guarantees the right to peaceful assembly, it does not protect acts such as looting, arson, attacks on police stations or destruction of public and private property.
He accused some politicians of attempting to exploit the anniversary protests for political purposes.
“Any person that will be on the street with a stone, machete or matchstick will meet the full force of the law,” Murkomen said while warning against violence and criminal conduct during the demonstrations.
The June 25 anniversary remains a powerful symbol for many young Kenyans. Last year’s protests began as opposition to the Finance Bill 2024 but evolved into broader demands for government accountability, economic reforms and an end to police brutality.
The demonstrations reached a climax when protesters breached Parliament buildings in Nairobi after lawmakers passed the controversial bill.
President Ruto later declined to sign the legislation into law following the public outcry.
Human rights groups and families of victims have called for peaceful commemorations, saying the day should serve as a moment of remembrance for those who lost their lives during the protests and a platform to push for justice and reforms.
Security agencies are expected to deploy officers across key towns and cities as the country marks an anniversary that continues to shape Kenya’s political discourse nearly two years later.
