Eight Dead, 400 Injured in Kenya as Nationwide Protests Mark Anniversary of 2024 Anti-Tax Demonstrations

A coalition of professional and civil rights organizations—including the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), Police Reforms Working Group (PRWG), and the Kenya Medical Association (KMA)—has confirmed the deaths of at least eight protesters and injuries to more than 400 others during nationwide demonstrations that swept across Kenya on Wednesday, June 25.

The protests marked the first anniversary of the 2024 anti-Finance Bill movement, which saw thousands of mostly young Kenyans rally against unpopular tax proposals and the rising cost of living.

In a joint statement issued Wednesday evening, the coalition expressed deep concern over the loss of life and escalating violence, calling for restraint from both demonstrators and law enforcement.

“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of the eight protesters who lost their lives today,” the statement read. “Over 400 others were injured, with 83 requiring specialized medical attention due to the severity of their wounds. Among the injured are three police officers, and at least eight protesters are being treated for gunshot wounds.”

The figures are based on reports from medical volunteers and human rights monitors operating in the field. However, the coalition warned that the actual casualty numbers could rise in the coming days, due to the chaotic conditions and challenges in collecting accurate data from protest sites across 23 counties.

While the protests began peacefully, violence erupted by mid-day in several cities, notably Nairobi, Kisumu, Nakuru, Mombasa, and Eldoret. Eyewitnesses reported a heavy police presence and the use of tear gas, rubber bullets, and live ammunition to disperse crowds.

Field medics and community-based responders set up makeshift triage centers, many of which were quickly overwhelmed by the influx of injured protesters—many suffering from blunt force trauma, tear gas exposure, and gunshot wounds.

“The scale of these protests reflects unresolved national grievances,” said a human rights observer with the PRWG, speaking on condition of anonymity due to security concerns. “The continued use of excessive force by police only exacerbates the crisis.”

Wednesday’s protests commemorated what many now refer to as the “Youth Reawakening” of June 2024—a digital-led uprising against the Finance Bill 2024, driven primarily by Kenya’s Gen Z and millennial activists on social media platforms like TikTok and X (formerly Twitter).

That movement triggered one of the largest mass mobilizations in Kenya’s democratic history and led to a partial government rollback of the proposed tax increases. Yet, a year later, frustrations over governance, police brutality, and economic hardship persist.

In their statement, the LSK, PRWG, and KMA urged demonstrators to protest peacefully and asked security forces to exercise restraint.

“Every Kenyan life is sacred,” the statement read. “We urge all involved to avoid further bloodshed. We also call on the National Police Service to uphold human dignity and ensure their response to protests remains lawful and proportionate.”

The coalition further urged national leaders to move beyond divisive rhetoric and instead engage in meaningful, inclusive dialogue to address the country’s ongoing political and social tensions.

As of Wednesday night, the Kenyan government had not issued an official response. Meanwhile, opposition leaders, civil society figures, and religious organizations have called for an independent investigation into the use of force during the demonstrations.

In towns across the country, candlelight vigils and memorials were held to honor the lives lost during the protests. On social media, hashtags like #25JuneAnniversary, #JusticeForTheFallen, and #ResistOppression trended, reflecting the day’s emotional and political significance.

The original 2024 protests began in opposition to the Finance Bill’s sweeping tax hikes on essential goods and digital transactions. Though some of the bill’s provisions were withdrawn, the demonstrations exposed a growing rift between the government and a disillusioned, largely youthful population.

Wednesday’s deadly anniversary protests have reignited that tension—a stark reminder that the issues that drove the youth to the streets last year remain deeply unresolved.