June 26, 2025
Nairobi, Kenya — Streets across Nairobi and more than two dozen counties were strewn with debris Thursday morning, as residents and business owners began clearing the aftermath of one of the deadliest days of protest in recent Kenyan history. The demonstrations, which marked the one-year anniversary of the 2024 anti-tax uprising, spiraled into widespread unrest, looting, and clashes with police.
According to Amnesty International Kenya and the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), at least 16 people were killed, all reportedly shot by security forces. More than 400 others were injured, including protesters, journalists, and law enforcement personnel.
In downtown Nairobi, traders were seen sweeping broken glass and salvaging stock from torched stalls. One shopkeeper in the city center estimated his losses at over $15,500, while another in Gikomba Market reported his entire stock of fabric reduced to ashes.
“We woke up to find our life’s work gone,” said one trader. “How can we be expected to survive when the government doesn’t listen and the police shoot our children?”
The violent turn of events followed peaceful rallies that quickly escalated into confrontations after police deployed tear gas, rubber bullets, and live rounds. In several counties, demonstrations were infiltrated by looters who vandalized shops and set buildings ablaze. The destruction not only devastated livelihoods but also intensified calls for dialogue between the government and protesting youth.
On social media, images of burned-out storefronts and injured demonstrators trended under hashtags like #JusticeForOjwang and #Mandamano2025, referencing both the broader movement and the death of blogger Albert Ojwang, whose recent custodial death helped reignite national anger.
In response to the chaos, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki condemned the destruction, labeling some of the activity as “coordinated criminality.” He vowed arrests for those caught on CCTV looting or vandalizing property.
However, civil society groups pushed back, warning against blanket criminalization of demonstrators. “The government must listen,” said Irũngũ Houghton of Amnesty Kenya. “These protests reflect a deep societal frustration with injustice, corruption, and impunity.”
As clean-up efforts continue, traders and families affected by the violence are now seeking government compensation and guarantees of safety. Meanwhile, activists are calling for an independent investigation into the killings, the reinstatement of press freedoms, and a formal recognition of the grievances raised by Kenya’s youth.
Whether the state responds with reforms or further crackdowns remains to be seen. But on the streets of Nairobi, the dust is only just beginning to settle.