Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has described the June 25 protests as the most violent and chaotic day Kenya has witnessed since the 2007–2008 post-election crisis, vowing that the government will never allow such unrest to occur again.
Speaking during a public address in Kibwezi, Makueni County, on Thursday, June 26, 2025, Kindiki condemned the destruction and lawlessness witnessed across parts of the country during the Gen Z-led protests.
He said the violence and attacks on public institutions had crossed a dangerous line, warning that the government would respond decisively.
“What happened in Kenya on Wednesday was the most violent and anarchic day we’ve experienced since the 2007/08 post-election violence,” Kindiki said. “I have been in politics for years, but the shame we witnessed yesterday, the property destroyed, the vandalism of critical infrastructure—Kenya has never had a day like that before.”
The DP further revealed that several police stations were burned down and firearms stolen, signaling what he termed as a larger and more dangerous agenda beyond peaceful protest.
“There are police stations that were set ablaze, and guns and bullets were stolen. This shows that those responsible for inciting the youth had a bigger target than what was originally intended for the June protests,” he stated.
Kindiki accused some religious leaders of fuelling the chaos, saying while many churches called for peace, others encouraged the youth to act recklessly.
“I thank the churches that urged peaceful protest,” he said. “But there are others that incited young people, filled them with anger, and told them to do whatever they wanted. I ask those churches, Was what we saw yesterday the outcome you wanted?”
Referencing Kenya’s past, Kindiki warned that the country had come dangerously close to collapse during the 2007–2008 crisis, and those who are too young to remember that period must be protected from such a future.
“Those who are young might not remember how close we came to total destruction in 2007 and 2008,” he said. “The government does not interfere with citizens’ freedom of expression, but we will never again allow what happened yesterday to take place on Kenyan soil.”
He reiterated that national security agencies have been directed to take all necessary action to prevent any repeat of the violence, adding that no one should question the timing or intensity of the government’s response.
“Don’t ask me when we will act. Just know we will,” Kindiki warned.
The Kindiki’s remarks come as the country assesses the aftermath of the June 25 demonstrations, which began as a memorial for victims of last year’s anti-tax protests but spiraled into widespread unrest.
Cities like Nairobi, Kisumu, Nakuru, and Eldoret reported significant damage to public and private property, with several incidents of looting, vandalism, and clashes between protesters and police.
