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Protesters in Nairobi are calling for the resignation of President Ruto, marking a significant moment in Kenya’s political landscape. On June 25, 2025, thousands took to the streets, chanting “Ruto must go” as they expressed their discontent with the current administration.

6 Key Takeaways Protesters demand President Ruto’s resignation.

Demonstrations largely peaceful, with chanting.

Police use barricades, water cannons, tear gas.

Previous unrest saw parliament stormed, damaged.

Memorials for victims of past protests.

Protesters display defiance despite police actions.

The demonstration, largely peaceful at its onset, saw participants waving Kenyan flags and carrying branches as symbols of non-violent opposition. However, tensions escalated as police deployed water cannons and tear gas to disperse the crowds, reminiscent of last year’s violent protests that left many injured.

Fast Answer: Thousands of protesters in Nairobi demand President Ruto’s resignation, highlighting ongoing political unrest and public dissatisfaction in Kenya.

This wave of protests raises critical questions about governance and public trust in Kenya. Why are citizens so disillusioned with their leadership? The following points summarize the key issues:

Protesters are demanding accountability for past violence against civilians.

Many citizens feel their voices are ignored by the current government.

The protests reflect broader regional discontent with political leadership.

The unrest in Kenya serves as a warning about the fragility of democracy and public trust in governance globally.

As the situation develops, it is crucial for both the government and citizens to engage in dialogue. Will this movement lead to meaningful change, or will it deepen divisions? The world is watching.

NAIROBI – One year after Kenya’s Gen Z protests against a tax-heavy finance bill, digital rights activists say authorities are increasingly cracking down on online criticism, with one prominent blogger recently killed in police custody.

More than 60 people were killed in last year’s protests, and President William Ruto subsequently abandoned plans to raise 346 billion Kenyan shillings ($2.68 billion) in new taxes.

But demands for Ruto’s resignation have continued, with Gen Z and millennials especially taking to online platforms to demand action against government corruption and the lack of economic opportunities.

In early June, teacher and blogger Albert Ojwang was killed in custody after he was arrested and accused of defaming Kenya’s deputy police chief on social media.

His death, which follows years of extrajudicial killings and disappearances, sparked protests in Nairobi, and three police officers have since been charged with his murder. They have pleaded not guilty.

Bridget Andere, senior policy analyst at digital rights group Access Now, said a growing number of people are being arrested under the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act, which the government says aims to curtail the proliferation of crimes such as online scams, child pornography and cyber-stalking.

But digital rights groups say the law is being used to criminalise free speech and has seen journalists, bloggers and political activists being charged under the legislation.

“There is heightened surveillance on online platforms. Activists know their every word and move is being monitored,” Andere said.

She spoke to Context about the effects of the surveillance and what needs to be done to protect online freedom of expression.

What are the main digital rights challenges facing Kenyans?

In a troubling trend, more and more people are being arrested and charged … when they speak out against government officials and people affiliated with them, which is a huge indication of authorities backsliding even further on freedom of expression.

Actions like this could in the end result in a chilling effect on freedom of expression, which could in turn affect other human rights, including the right to access information and the right to assembly.

In addition, there have been misinformation and disinformation campaigns against some activists. Some coordinated, some organic.

Why Gen Z Are Protesting Again

The June 25, 2025 demonstrations commemorate one of the most significant moments in Kenya’s recent political history. Exactly one year ago, young Kenyans stormed Parliament during massive protests against the controversial Finance Bill 2024, resulting in at least 60 deaths and over 20 disappearances at the hands of security forces. The protests were driven by widespread discontent over excessive taxation, poor governance, corruption, and lack of accountability from President William Ruto’s administration.

Despite President Ruto withdrawing the Finance Bill following the protests and disbanding his Cabinet, public anger has only intensified. Young Kenyans remain frustrated with the government’s failure to address youth unemployment, rising living costs, and ongoing police brutality. The recent death of blogger and teacher Albert Ojwang while in police custody has further inflamed tensions, with six individuals including three police officers facing murder charges in connection with his death.

The protests have been largely organized through social media platforms using two primary hashtags that have gained massive traction online. #SiriNiNumbers, meaning “The secret is in numbers” in Swahili, has dominated Kenyan social media throughout June 25, with hundreds of thousands of mentions on X (formerly Twitter). The hashtag is being used to share personal stories, amplify calls for justice, and document events in real time through photos of protest signs and firsthand videos of street marches.

The second major hashtag, #RutoMustGo, continues to trend as protesters demand President Ruto’s resignation. This hashtag reached its peak on July 2, 2024, generating nearly 17 million interactions and over 800 million impressions. The hashtag remains a rallying cry for young Kenyans expressing their frustration with the current administration.

Digital platforms have become crucial organizational tools, with protesters using X and TikTok lives to share protest routes, legal support contacts, and safety guidelines.

Government’s Unprecedented Media Clampdown

The Communications Authority of Kenya issued a sweeping directive on June 25, 2025, ordering all television and radio stations to immediately cease live coverage of the ongoing demonstrations.The directive, signed by CA Director General David Mugonyi, cited alleged violations of Articles 33(2) and 34(1) of the Constitution and Section 461 of the Kenya Information and Communications Act as justification for the media blackout.

The authority warned broadcasters that failure to comply would result in regulatory sanctions, including potential suspension or revocation of broadcasting licenses and disabling of transmission signals. This threat was immediately acted upon, with both NTV and KTN television stations having their free-to-air signals physically cut by the authority after refusing to comply with the directive. The stations confirmed their signals were “unconstitutionally switched off” while they continued streaming content through online platforms and YouTube channels.

Kenya’s major media organizations responded with unprecedented defiance to the government’s blackout orders. The Standard Group issued a firm statement rejecting the directive and announced it was consulting lawyers to establish the legality of the order, which it characterized as an attempt to “plunge the country into a news blackout”. Nation Media Group took an even stronger stance, arguing that the government’s actions represented a clear violation of Article 34(2) of the Constitution, which guarantees freedom and independence of the media.

Telegram Restrictions and Digital Surveillance

International internet monitoring organization NetBlocks confirmed that access to Telegram messaging platform was being restricted across Kenya during the June 25 protests. By 4:00 PM on Wednesday, Telegram’s reachability had dropped to just one percent, essentially blocking access for most Kenyan users across multiple Internet Service Providers.

The restrictions appear to be part of a broader pattern of digital control that began in 2023. The government has repeatedly blocked Telegram during national examinations, implementing restrictions in November 2023 and November 2024 during KCSE exam periods. These actions have been justified by authorities claiming that Telegram channels are being used to circulate examination materials, though critics argue such broad restrictions violate digital rights and lack proper legal justification.

The digital restrictions implemented on June 25, 2025, directly contravene existing court orders. In May 2025, seven civil society organizations filed a constitutional petition challenging state agencies and telecom providers over repeated internet shutdowns. The High Court issued conservatory orders in June 2025, specifically barring respondents from carrying out any “wholescale shutdown, blockage, denial of access or service” affecting internet services or electronic communication platforms.

Ruto’s Absence Speaks Volumes

President William Ruto remained conspicuously absent from Nairobi during the protests, instead retreating to Kilifi County to attend a funeral while thousands of Gen Z protesters filled the streets of the capital and other major cities. His absence during a day of nationwide tension and remembrance did not go unnoticed, especially as police engaged in running battles with protesters in Nairobi’s CBD, Kitengela, Kisii, Nyeri, and parts of Thika Road.

Despite the government’s ban on protests, with Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura declaring on Monday that “there will be no demonstrations on June 25” and that it would be “a normal working day”, over 1 Million young Kenyans defied the directive. The protests proceeded across multiple cities, with demonstrators waving Kenyan flags and placards featuring pictures of those killed in last year’s demonstrations while chanting “Ruto must go!”.

President Ruto’s silence on the anniversary protests is particularly striking given his previous defense of police actions. On Tuesday, he had defended the police, urging them to act decisively against what he described as civil disobedience, and warning protesters: “You cannot use force against the police, nor insult or threaten them. You are endangering our nation“.

The anniversary protests have demonstrated that despite government efforts to suppress them through digital restrictions and media blackouts, Kenya’s liberation movement remains resilient and determined. The combination of sophisticated digital organization, constitutional defiance by media houses, and massive street mobilization shows that the struggle for democratic accountability and digital rights in Kenya is far from over. As protesters continue to demand justice for those killed, accountability from their leaders, and protection of their constitutional rights, the government’s heavy-handed response may have only strengthened their resolve to continue fighting for the change they believe Kenya desperately needs.

Related

Another reason why people have been marching today is that Kenya has been gripped by a wave of disappearances, ever since the youth-led protests against a series of planned tax rises on 25 June 2024 – exactly a year ago.

More than 80 people were abducted between last June and January this year, according to a state-funded rights group, external.

A few have been released in recent weeks, and there are growing calls for all who have been abducted to be freed.

The abductions generally target government critics and are widely believed to be the work of security agents, although the authorities have not admitted responsibility.

They began in June last year but increased in December, when AI-generated photos of President William Ruto in a coffin were widely shared.

The situation continues to stoke fear across the country, with parents worried about the safety of their children and activists who are critical of Ruto’s government on social media.

Kenya has also been accused of enabling foreign governments to abduct their citizens and carry out forcible extraditions, breaching international law.

In January, prominent Tanzanian activist Maria Sarungi Tsehai was abducted by armed men in Kenya and released after several hours

Last year, Ugandan opposition leader, Kizza Besigye, was kidnapped in Nairobi, allegedly by Ugandan security officials, and taken across the border for trial by a court martial.

Tuesday, June 24, 2025 – A heavy security presence has been deployed along State House Road in Nairobi, as the Government moves to counter growing threats by defiant Gen Z protesters, who have vowed to storm State House and demand President William Ruto’s resignation during the highly anticipated June 25 demonstrations.

In a video making the rounds on social media, officers are seen taking up strategic positions along the road leading to State House.

Armoured vehicles and riot control trucks have also been deployed, signaling that the state is on high alert.

This comes after days of intense mobilization by Gen Z youth online, with hashtags like #OccupyStateHouse dominating the trends on X and Tiktok.

The protesters accuse President Ruto of failing the nation, citing rising taxes, high unemployment, and alleged mismanagement of public resources.

Watch the video of the current situation around State House Road.

A contingent of security officers deployed along State House Road as Gen Zs threaten to storm in and force RUTO to resign on June 25th pic.twitter.com/BPOtibu7ZC — DAILY POST 🇰🇪 (@dailypost_ke) June 24, 2025

The Kenyan DAILY POST