Mourning mothers' tribute ends in chaos as police disrupt peaceful memorial

What began as a quiet, heartfelt memorial by mothers and families of slain protesters quickly turned into a harrowing scene of panic and confusion on Kimathi Street, Nairobi, after police disrupted the peaceful tribute with tear gas.

The group, composed mainly of women who lost their children during the June 25, 2024, anti-government demonstrations, had assembled to lay flowers and offer prayers at the site where Rex Masai, the first victim of the protests, was shot.

Their plan was to walk silently through the streets that bore the marks of last year's deadly confrontations. But before they could make it to Moi Avenue, chaos erupted.

“I carried rose flowers and came to commemorate my son, who was brutally killed by the same police,” said Jacinta Ochieng, mother of Kennedy Odhiambo, who succumbed to bullet injuries during the protests as she spoke to the Daily Nation.

“We had gathered and were ready to march, but some police officers threw tear gas at us,” said Jacinta Ochieng, mother of Kennedy Odhiambo,” she added.

As police vehicles roared through the street, firing tear gas into the crowd, women screamed and ran for cover.

Some clung to each other, struggling to breathe through the stinging smoke. Several members of the group sought shelter at Nation Centre, where they remained trapped for hours before eventually relocating to Java Restaurant for safety.

Among those present was former Chief Justice David Maraga, who was seen rushing to help distressed mothers reach safety as canisters exploded behind them.

Former Chief Justice David Maraga takes part in the June 25 protests to honour Gen Z victims of the anti-government protests. pic.twitter.com/14E4MUvLQl

— The Eastleigh Voice (@Eastleighvoice) June 25, 2025

“Why are they treating us like criminals? Is this the way the State plans to repay us?” asked Gillian Munyao, the mother of Rex Masai, her voice filled with anguish.

Carolyne Mutisya, who lost her son Erickson Mutisya outside Parliament last year, told Daily Nation that she had no more hope in the justice system.

“My son will never rest in peace until justice is found. Today was a remembrance day, but it didn’t happen,” she said.

The crowd, some clutching framed portraits of loved ones and others wearing shirts with the message “Justice for the Fallen,” was forced to abandon the tribute.

Grief-stricken and disoriented, some dropped to the ground, coughing and sobbing—not only from the smoke but from the heartbreak of being denied the chance to remember.

“I hadn’t even wiped my tears before they threw tear gas at us. What kind of country does this to mourning parents?” said Ochieng, still holding her son's photograph tightly.

Other Topics To Read

• National
• Gen Z demonstrations
• june 25 protests
• June 25 demonstrations
• June 25 anniversary
• Mourning mothers' tribute ends in chaos as police disrupt peaceful memorial
• Headlines

Speaking later, Maraga condemned the police action.

“This is an affront to human dignity. Instead of offering answers, the State is offering more violence. We cannot heal as a country this way,” he said.

Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka joined other opposition figures at the Holy Family Basilica before laying flowers at Parliament Road. Parliament itself, a focal point of last year’s protests, was heavily barricaded and inaccessible.

“These are young Kenyans who came out to protest injustice. They deserve to be treated with dignity. All they want is justice, and we will ensure they get it. We urge the youth to come out and express themselves,” Musyoka added.

What was meant to be a day of closure for grieving families instead deepened the wounds left by last year’s deadly protests. Their pain, once again, was met not with comfort but with force.