In 2025, Kenya was a country under strain. Prolonged strikes in critical sectors disrupted daily life, while waves of protests swept across towns and cities, driven by anger over police brutality, governance failures, and unfulfilled promises.
As crowds confronted state power in the streets, tear gas and water cannons became familiar sights. Lives were lost, businesses were shuttered, and public services ground to a halt. With deaths such as that of Albert Ojwang, the year echoed the turmoil of 2024, exposing some of the most challenging moments of President William Ruto’s tenure.
Hospitals, schools, and essential public services bore the brunt of extended industrial action, leaving millions of Kenyans caught between policy standoffs and the struggle to survive. At the same time, the protests reflected a growing public resolve to challenge authority, often at great personal risk.
Finance Bill Anniversary Protests – June 25, 2025
On June 25, 2025, thousands of Kenyans took to the streets in Nairobi, Mombasa, Nakuru, Kisumu, and other towns to mark the first anniversary of the deadly anti-Finance Bill protests of 2024.
What began as peaceful marches and vigils quickly escalated into violent confrontations. Police responded with tear gas, water cannons, and live ammunition, leaving several people dead and hundreds injured. The scenes mirrored those of June 25, 2024, when demonstrators briefly breached Parliament and security forces responded with lethal force.
Human rights groups, religious leaders, and foreign missions renewed calls for independent investigations, prosecutions of officers implicated in unlawful killings, and reforms to Kenya’s policing and crowd-control practices.
Protests Over Albert Ojwang’s Death – June 2025
Public anger erupted following the death of Albert Ojwang, a 31-year-old teacher and blogger from Homa Bay County, who died in custody at Nairobi’s Central Police Station on June 8, 2025.
Ojwang had been arrested a day earlier over a social media post critical of a senior police officer. While police initially claimed he died by suicide, a post-mortem revealed blunt-force trauma, neck compression, and multiple soft-tissue injuries.
The revelations triggered nationwide protests, with demonstrators condemning police brutality. In some areas, vehicles were torched and a police station was attacked. IPOA launched investigations, several officers were suspended, and the Interior Ministry announced plans to install CCTV cameras in all police stations.
Saba Saba Day Protests – July 7, 2025
Saba Saba Day protests on July 7 saw youth-led demonstrations erupt nationwide over rising living costs, corruption, shrinking civic space, and police brutality.
Police blocked major roads into city centers, grounding public transport and forcing businesses to close. As protests unfolded, officers fired live rounds, water cannons, and tear gas.
By early evening, at least 10 people were confirmed dead, but later reports placed the toll at 31 deaths, over 100 injuries, and more than 500 arrests across 17 counties.
The Strikes
University Staff Strike (49 Days)
Public universities were paralyzed by a 49-day strike beginning in September, led by UASU and KUSU. Lecturers demanded payment of KSh7.9 billion owed under a previous CBA.
The strike ended on November 5 after parliamentary mediation, with the government agreeing to staggered payments. Union leaders warned that failure to honor the deal would trigger renewed action.
Kiambu and Nairobi Doctors’ Strikes
Kiambu doctors staged a five-month strike starting May 26, disrupting healthcare services until a mediated settlement was reached.
In Nairobi, doctors ended a 39-day strike on April 8 after agreements addressing salary delays, promotions, reinstatements, and gratuity payments.
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