Human rights activist Boniface Mwangi has condemned the police for violently disrupting a memorial protest on June 25, 2025, despite prior notification and assurances of protection.
The demonstration commemorated the first anniversary of the June 2024 protests, during which over 60 people were killed by police during the 2024 anti-government protests.
Taking to his official X account on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, Mwangi said the families of those who lost their lives met with police bosses, who promised to provide security during the memorial protest.
“Families of the brave heroes who were murdered in June 2024 delivered a protest notification and met with police bosses over the weekend, who said they would protect protestors. Today, police unleashed violence in the country and killed 11 people,” Mwangi lamented.
Police on June 25
Mwangi’s remarks come days after the Nairobi Regional Police Commander, George Seda, assured the public that the police will provide full security during the upcoming June 25, 2025, memorial protests.
Speaking during a press briefing on Wednesday evening, Seda confirmed that the police had received the official notification letter regarding the upcoming June 25 protest and assured that they would provide sufficient security to ensure the safety of everyone, both participants and non‑participants.
“For the June 25, we have got what we call the enhanced plan for that; the letter which was delivered to central, we have the copy,” Seda said.
“We will provide enough security to ensure every person who is going to participate and even those who are not participating to be safe.”
He urged the public to restrict themselves to peaceful demonstrations and warned against planning protests that might interfere with people not participating.
“What I would like to urge the public is to let us restrict ourselves to peaceful demonstrations; let us not have demonstrations which are going to interfere with the other people who may not be part of the demonstrators,” he stated.
Death
The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has confirmed that at least eight people have died and hundreds have been injured during the first anniversary of the June 25 protests.
“We face an unfortunate paradox as a country where more lives are being lost as the people seek justice for the lives already lost. Our hearts break for all the victims of the continued trend of police brutality and excesses,” Faith Odhiambo stated.
“The Law Society of Kenya, Police Reforms Working Group and the Kenya Medical Association express condolences to the families of the eight protesters who were killed today. At least 400 others were treated, with 83 of them referred to specialised treatment for serious injuries. At least 8 protesters have been treated for gunshot wounds. Three of the injured include police officers.”
