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President William Ruto has broken his silence on the ongoing nationwide protests organised to commemorate the victims of police violence in the 2024 Gen Z-led anti-Finance Bill demonstrations.
Ruto’s comments came amid widespread demonstrations on June 25, 2025, across major towns, including the capital Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nyeri, and Nakuru.
Speaking on Wednesday during the burial ceremony of Mzee Gideon Mung’aro Senior — the father of Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro — in Dabaso, Kilifi County, the President addressed the unrest that has gripped multiple parts of the country.
While he did not directly reference the protests by name, President Ruto acknowledged the growing calls for accountability and affirmed that protests should be done in accordance with the law.
“I want to ask fellow citizens, we may be of different opinions we may have different strategies, but we must have a nation first and secondly we must be united as a nation so that we can build this nation together and we must concentrate on the transformation of Kenya,” he said.
“Those that we may have difference in various opinions even during protests let’s make sure that the protests are not violent. The protests should not lead to property destruction, should not interfere with our peace in Kenya because we have no other country to go to when things get bad.”
June 25 protests
Also in attendance were senior leaders including the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga.
He made the remarks amid multiple protests in counties across the country. Kenya witnessed day-long protests, injuries, and violent clashes between demonstrators and security forces.
In the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD), thousands of protesters—mostly youth—flooded the streets early in the day chanting slogans and carrying placards bearing the names of victims killed during last year’s protests.
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Former Chief Justice David Maraga was among those tear-gassed while accompanying families of victims in the city centre.
Opposition leaders Kalonzo Musyoka and Eugene Wamalwa addressed the press at the Holy Family Basilica before joining demonstrations, calling for accountability and respect for the right to protest.
Along Kenyatta Avenue and Moi Avenue, police lobbed tear gas to disperse crowds, including one group that had been playing football outside the General Post Office (GPO).
Outside Parliament buildings, demonstrators laid wreaths on razor wire fences erected to protect the premises in memory of those shot when youth stormed the House in 2024. The area remained under heavy police guard throughout the day.
By mid-morning, police began using water cannons and more tear gas as the protest escalated.
Casualties and unrest across counties
At least four protesters with gunshot wounds and a female police officer with head injuries were admitted to Kenyatta National Hospital. The hospital confirmed receiving at least 10 casualties as of Wednesday afternoon.
The chaotic scenes were also witnessed along Kimathi Street, Thika Road, and the vicinity of Central Police Station, with bonfires and stone barricades leading to prolonged confrontations between police and demonstrators.
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In Machakos County, violence turned deadly as one person was fatally shot. At least seven others were rushed to Matuu Level IV Hospital with gunshot wounds following clashes with police in Matuu town.
In Kisii town, protesters chanting “Ruto must go” marched through the streets blowing whistles and vuvuzelas.
In Kitengela, demonstrators lit bonfires along the Nairobi-Namanga Road before being dispersed by tear gas.
Ol Kalou town in Nyandarua County witnessed two contrasting scenes—peaceful candlelight vigils with the national anthem sung in honour of victims, and separate violent confrontations where protesters clashed with police after barricading roads.
In Eldoret, baton-wielding individuals suspected to be hired goons were spotted, raising concerns about infiltration into the protests.
Demonstrations also broke out in Mombasa, Busia, Narok, Laikipia, Kakamega, Nyeri, Homa Bay, Makueni, and Kirinyaga counties.
Parliament adjourns, media faces blackout threat
Back in Nairobi, the National Assembly adjourned its sitting prematurely due to the absence of enough MPs to proceed with business.
The House session ended around 11:30 a.m. as several legislators were seen leaving the precincts under heavy police guard.
In a separate development, the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) directed all television and radio broadcasters to halt live coverage of the demonstrations, citing violations of constitutional and legal provisions.
CA Director General David Mugonyi warned that failure to comply would attract regulatory action.
“This is therefore to direct all television and radio stations to stop any live coverage of the demonstrations forthwith,” read the CA notice.
The Standard Media Group responded by declaring it would continue broadcasting in the public interest pending legal consultation, stating that “this order aims to plunge the country into a news blackout”.
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