Kenya is currently engulfed in a severe political and social crisis following widespread anti-government protests that have resulted in significant loss of life, injuries, arrests, and destruction of property. The death toll from the protests on July 7, 2025, alone has surged to 31, marking the highest single-day fatality count since the demonstrations began last year. Over the past two weeks, more than 50 people have reportedly been killed amid escalating clashes between protesters and police forces. These developments have intensified calls for President William Ruto’s resignation and raised urgent human rights concerns about the excessive use of force, arbitrary arrests, and suppression of freedoms.
The Spark: Police Violence and the Death of a Street Vendor
The protests were reignited by the killing of a young street vendor, Boniface Kariuki, who was shot in the head by police officers during demonstrations sparked by the earlier death of blogger Albert Ojwang in police custody. Kariuki’s death, after nearly two weeks on life support, has become a symbol of police brutality and government repression. According to eyewitnesses and family reports,
“Kariuki was assaulted by two officers before one fired a long-barreled weapon at him as he tried to leave the scene,”
leading to his critical injuries and eventual death. Following the incident, two police officers were taken into custody, and six individuals—including three police personnel—face charges related to Ojwang’s death.
This tragic event has galvanized youth and civil society groups, fueling nationwide protests that began in June 2024 over issues such as police brutality, corruption, rising living costs, and poor governance. The protests coincided with the 35th anniversary of the historic Saba Saba Day, a pro-democracy rally in 1990 that ended one-party rule in Kenya, underscoring the deep-rooted demand for political reform.
Scale and Impact of the Protests: Deaths, Injuries, and Mass Arrests
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has documented the devastating toll of the protests. On July 7 alone, the commission reported 31 deaths, 107 injuries, and 532 arrests, along with two enforced disappearances. These figures reflect a sharp escalation compared to earlier protests, with the KNCHR noting that the unrest has spread across multiple counties, including Nairobi, Eldoret, Kisumu, Mombasa, and Nakuru.
The protests have been met with a heavy-handed police response involving live ammunition, tear gas, water cannons, and rubber bullets. The KNCHR also accused police of collaborating with armed groups wielding machetes and spears, contributing to chaotic and violent confrontations. The unrest has resulted in widespread destruction of property, including the looting and burning of supermarkets and businesses, further destabilizing the affected communities.
The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) expressed deep concern over the use of lethal force, with spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani emphasizing that
“under international law, law enforcement may only use lethal force when strictly necessary to protect life from an imminent threat.”
She reiterated the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk’s call for
“all reported killings and other alleged violations and abuses of international human rights law, including with respect to use of force, to be promptly, thoroughly, independently and transparently investigated.”
The UN also stressed the importance of addressing the legitimate grievances at the root of the protests, including economic hardship and political repression.
President Ruto’s Hardline Response and Calls for Restraint
President William Ruto has taken a firm stance against the protesters, ordering police to “shoot protesters targeting businesses in the legs” to incapacitate them without causing fatalities. He stated,
“Anyone found setting fire to another business should be hospitalized, and subsequently taken to court. Do not let them go, ensure their legs are broken.”
This directive has been widely condemned by human rights organizations as excessive and brutal, raising alarms about the government’s approach to dissent.
Ruto further warned that any attack on security personnel would be treated as a “declaration of war” against the nation, asserting,
“Kenya cannot and will not be governed through intimidation, terror, or disorder. Not while I am in charge.”
He urged opponents to pursue change through constitutional means, stating,
“This nation will not be torn apart by a handful of individuals who are impatient and seek to change the government through unconstitutional means.”
However, his rhetoric has done little to quell the unrest or address the underlying issues driving the protests.
Human Rights Violations and the Suppression of Freedoms
The protests have exposed serious human rights violations, including excessive use of force by police, arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances, and attacks on journalists and human rights defenders. The KNCHR condemned all human rights violations and called for accountability from all responsible parties, including police, civilians, and other stakeholders. Its vice chairperson Raymond Nyeris expressed condolences to the families of the victims and urged swift medical assistance for those injured.
The Kenya National Cohesion and Integration Commission also condemned the police’s excessive force and warned politicians against stoking ethnic divisions that could further inflame tensions. Meanwhile, the Interior Minister’s recent call for police to “shoot on sight” anyone approaching police stations during protests has heightened fears of unchecked state violence and repression.
Public Outrage and Political Fallout
The death of Boniface Kariuki has become a rallying point for protesters demanding justice and political change. At Kariuki’s funeral, mourners vowed to seek accountability, with one friend declaring,
“We will not rest until justice is served.”
The killing of Kariuki and the earlier death of blogger Albert Ojwang in custody have galvanized youth-led protests nationwide, reflecting widespread frustration over corruption, economic hardship, and abuses of power.
The protests have also triggered political repercussions within the government. Moses Kuria, Kenya’s former Cabinet Secretary for Public Service and former trade minister, resigned as President Ruto’s senior economic advisor amid the unrest. While Kuria did not explicitly link his resignation to the protests, he recently praised the youth for maintaining peace and warned of a “Phase 2 of political opportunism and looters,” signaling unease within government ranks.
Opposition leaders, although largely absent from the rallies, have actively condemned the government’s violent crackdown on social media and called for boycotts of government-affiliated institutions, services, and businesses. The protests have thus evolved into a broader movement challenging the legitimacy of Ruto’s administration.
The Historical and Socioeconomic Context Fueling Unrest
The current wave of protests is rooted in longstanding grievances over police brutality, corruption, economic inequality, and political repression. The unrest initially erupted in June 2024 in response to a proposed tax increase during a period of soaring living costs, which was later withdrawn due to public pressure. However, the underlying socioeconomic challenges remain unaddressed.
The Saba Saba Day protests commemorate the 1990 pro-democracy demonstrations that ended one-party rule in Kenya, symbolizing the ongoing struggle for democratic rights and freedoms. The choice of this date for the recent protests underscores the protesters’ demands for political reform, accountability, and respect for human rights.
International Calls for Accountability and Support
The United Nations has called on Kenyan authorities to exercise restraint and respect fundamental freedoms. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk stressed the need for
“calm and restraint, and full respect for the freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly.”
The UN also offered to support national authorities in investigating the killings and abuses, emphasizing that those responsible must be held accountable.
Human rights organizations have urged the Kenyan government to end the use of excessive force and to engage in dialogue with protesters to address their legitimate concerns. The international community continues to monitor the situation closely, warning that failure to uphold human rights and democratic principles could further destabilize the country.
Kenya’s anti-government protests and the tragic death toll highlight a critical juncture in the country’s political and human rights landscape. The killing of Boniface Kariuki and dozens of others, the widespread injuries and arrests, and the government’s harsh crackdown reveal deep fractures in Kenyan society and governance.
As the KNCHR stated,
“We strongly condemn all human rights violations and call for bringing to justice all those responsible for such cases, including the police, civilians, and others.”
The government’s response, including President Ruto’s controversial orders, risks further alienating citizens and undermining trust in state institutions.
Addressing the root causes of the unrest—police brutality, corruption, economic hardship, and political exclusion—is essential to restoring peace and stability. Upholding human rights, ensuring accountability, and fostering inclusive dialogue must guide Kenya’s path forward. The legacy of Saba Saba Day reminds the nation that the struggle for democracy and justice is ongoing, and the current crisis demands urgent and sustained efforts to protect the rights and dignity of all Kenyans.
