Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has urged protesters to demonstrate peacefully as they commemorate victims of the June 25, 2024, anti-government protests countrywide.
In a statement on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, he called upon Kenyans to uphold peace for a prosperous country.
“For those who will turn up to exercise their constitutional right to demonstrate, we urge them to do so peacefully and unarmed as provided for in our laws. Peace is the foundation for a strong and prosperous nation; let us all join hands to uphold it,” he stated.
Murkomen has also assured Kenyans of their safety and protection of their livelihoods amid the protests.
“As you go about your daily activities, be assured that your safety and the protection of your livelihoods are our top priority,” he added.
The protests
His statement comes even as tensions flared in Nairobi’s Central Business District on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, after police lobbed tear gas at demonstrators along Kimathi Street near the Stanley Hotel.
The protestors, who had gathered in growing numbers at key points including the National Archives and Tom Mboya Street, had earlier been marching peacefully, waving Kenyan flags, holding placards, and carrying roses in remembrance of those killed during the 2024 anti-Finance Bill demonstrations.
However, the situation shifted abruptly near Kimathi Street as officers moved in to disperse groups chanting and singing, triggering panic among protestors and passersby.
Similar scenes were witnessed in Kitengela, where police also fired tear gas to break up gatherings.
While police had earlier assured the public of restraint and protection of constitutional rights, the deployment across Nairobi has been heavy, with roads around Parliament, State House, and other key government installations barricaded.
Businesses in Nairobi CBD remained closed as fears of looting and unrest lingered despite the largely nonviolent tone of the demonstrations.
The anniversary comes a year after the unprecedented protests that saw Parliament breached and over 60 people killed, with no convictions made so far, fueling Wednesday’s call for justice and accountability.
Demonstrators have vowed to remain peaceful, even as police continue to monitor and, in some instances, confront the crowds.
