A protester was forced to hide inside one of the newly installed dustbins along Aga Khan Walk in Nairobi’s Central Business District as police and demonstrators clashed during the Gen Z memorial protests.
In a video reshared by Nairobi County Chief Officer for Environment Geoffrey Mosiria on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, the man, visibly shaken and clutching a lit candle, used the moment to express his deep frustrations and fears.
Speaking to bystanders, he said he feared for his life and was not sure if he would make it home alive, as the situation in the city had escalated into chaos.
He said people were too scared to even step outside, fearing violent confrontations with the police as he held up what appeared to be a bullet.
“Saa hii tunaogopa hata kutoka nje. Sijui kama watatumaliza leo, sasa ona hii ni risasi,” he said.
On this day, thousands of young Kenyans poured into the streets in cities across the country to mark one year since the deadly anti-tax protests of 2024.
The memorial demonstrations started in Nairobi and quickly spread to Kisumu, Mombasa, Kisii, Nakuru, Eldoret, and other towns. Protesters came to remember those killed or missing from last year’s demonstrations and to demand justice, accountability, and leadership change.
In Nairobi, huge crowds gathered and marched through key city streets such as Moi Avenue, Kenyatta Avenue, Harambee Avenue, and City Hall Way. Many paused outside symbolic government buildings like Parliament and State House, where they held candlelight vigils and chanted slogans calling for justice.
Despite the tight security, Gen Z organisers and opposition figures called for peaceful protests starting from 10:00 am. Protesters chanted “Bado Mapambano!,” “Ruto Must Go,” and “Wantam” as they marched.
Tension built up in the city throughout the morning. At around 11:14 am, police began firing tear gas to disperse demonstrators along Kenyatta Avenue and Kimathi Street. Business came to a halt. Shops closed, commuters were stranded as public transport was blocked from entering the CBD, and clouds of tear gas filled the air.
This comes as the police face mounting criticism over a wave of brutality during recent protests. Human rights groups, civil society organisations, and families of victims have accused law enforcement officers of using excessive force, including tear gas, rubber bullets, and in some cases, live ammunition, against unarmed demonstrators.
Several deaths and serious injuries have been reported since the Gen Z-led protests began, sparking nationwide and international outrage.
Videos circulating on social media have shown scenes of officers beating protestors, launching tear gas into medical camps, and targeting journalists, further fuelling public anger and demands for police accountability.
