Kenyan Families Seek Justice on Anniversary of Deadly Protests

Dozens of Kenyans took to the streets on Thursday under heavy security to commemorate protesters killed two years ago during massive anti-government demonstrations in Nairobi. The marches, held in Mombasa and Nairobi, marked the anniversary of the June 25, 2024 unrest, which escalated dramatically when protesters breached parliament grounds before a security crackdown left dozens dead.

Police detained hundreds of people and fired tear gas as families marched to Parliament demanding compensation and justice. Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen reported that 355 'criminals' were arrested in Nairobi and other towns, though journalists noted many ordinary Kenyans appeared among those detained. Police set up roadblocks with water cannons and mounted razor wire barricades outside parliament, while shops and restaurants in Nairobi's central business district remained shut.

Opposition leaders joined victims of alleged police brutality and families of slain protesters in a march towards parliament to place flowers and candles. Protesters called for transparency in the government's $15 million compensation program, with some families reporting they had yet to receive any payment despite submitting documentation. Edith Wanjiku, whose 19-year-old son Ibrahim Kamau died from gunshot wounds, questioned the criteria used for compensation.

The US embassy issued an alert advising citizens to avoid protest areas and expect traffic disruptions. President William Ruto allocated 2 billion Kenyan shillings ($15.5 million) for victims of protest-related rights abuses, but rights groups argue that compensation alone does not ensure accountability and have called for a public apology from Ruto.

The June 2024 protests began as youth-led demonstrations against the Finance Bill, escalating into nationwide unrest with protesters storming Parliament to oppose tax increases amid rising living costs. Police opened fire outside the building, killing dozens. According to official and rights group tallies cited in investigations, at least 62 people were killed during these protests.

The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) reported that only three of the 62 deaths have reached court, with many cases still under investigation or facing procedural challenges. Human Rights Watch and other organizations report that at least 41 people linked to Kenya's protests remain missing, including 26 from 2024 and 15 from 2025. Families of victims continue to demand accountability and police reform, criticizing the compensation program as insufficient without justice for their loved ones.