LIVE – June 25 Gen Z protest anniversary: 355 arrests made countrywide
Listen
Read this story aloud
Listen to the clean text version of this article.
Security agencies said the measures were intended to prevent unrest; however, the restrictions have paralysed transport and heightened tension across Nairobi.
More To Read
- Families of June 25 Gen Z protest victims demand justice, say compensation not enough
- KNCHR urges public to report arrests and missing persons after Gen Z protest anniversary
- Thika turns into ghost town as traders stay away during June 25 Gen Z protest anniversary
- LSK, rights groups issue seven‑point police guideline ahead of June 24 anniversary
- 138 Kenyans killed, 1,227 injured in protests between 2020-2025, report shows
- Ruto gives KNCHR 60 days to draft protest victims compensation framework
Latest Stories
- Kenya screens over 140,000 travellers for Ebola, all suspected cases test negative
- 355 arrested across Kenya during Gen Z memorial protests as Nairobi tops list
- IEBC begins enhanced voter registration in Mbeere North, Malava and three other areas
- Ex-half-marathon world record-holder Kibiwott Kandie banned seven years for doping violations
Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka has criticised police barricades during the June 25 anniversary, saying the restrictions prevented people from accessing their workplaces. He vowed that, if elected, his administration would formalise the day as a public holiday. pic.twitter.com/qiGOnapgTT
— The Eastleigh Voice (@Eastleighvoice) June 25, 2026PLP leader Martha Karua, on the other hand, called on police to provide security, insisting opposition leaders are peaceful and law‑abiding citizens.PLP leader Martha Karua says anyone causing disruption in Nairobi’s CBD would be linked to the authorities, citing heavy police presence and barricades across the city.
Speaking after the United Opposition leaders’ meeting at Serena, she called on police to provide security,… pic.twitter.com/FRlpA6tDQS— The Eastleigh Voice (@Eastleighvoice) June 25, 2026Former Chief Justice David Maraga, at the same time, reiterated calls for solidarity with the victims and their families, saying the government cannot avoid accountability.Former Chief Justice David Maraga has reiterated calls for solidarity with the victims of the June 25, 2024, protests and their families, saying the government cannot avoid accountability.
Speaking after the United Opposition leaders’ meeting at Serena, he said today’s… pic.twitter.com/FJ2IqZmWxn— The Eastleigh Voice (@Eastleighvoice) June 25, 2026Situation along Thika Road, near Kasarani. (Photo: Barack Oduor)
Barbed‑wire barricades have been erected around Parliament in Nairobi. (Photo: Amina Wako)
Police manning a roadblock at the Roysambu - Kasarani roundabout. (Photo: Barack Oduor)
Situation at the junction of Kenyatta Avenue and Muindi Mbingu Street. (Photo: Amina Wako)
A deserted Kenyatta Avenue, Nairobi. (Photo: Amina Wako)
Standard Street, Nairobi, deserted ahead of the Gen Z anniversary protests. (Photo: Amina Wako)
Other Topics To Read
Live: Updates
Embakasi East MP Babu Owino visited Nairobi’s Central Police Station to check on people arrested while commemorating the June 25 Gen Z protests anniversary.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen says 355 people were arrested nationwide today in connection with the June 25 Gen Z memorial protests.
Nairobi county accounted for the highest number of arrests at 161, followed by Kajiado (123) and Kiambu (36). Other arrests were reported in Murang'a (12), Bungoma nine, Meru six, Laikipia five, and Machakos three.
The CS says those arrested will be arraigned to face various charges of robbery, vandalism, road obstruction, and attempted theft.
The Inspector General of the National Police Service, Douglas Kanja, accompanied by the Deputy Inspector General of the Administration Police, Gilbert Masengeli, conducted a security assessment to monitor the security situation in Nairobi and Kitengela.
Kajiado County Police Commander Alex Shikondi confirms police in Kajiado County have arrested 123 youths during the June 25 anniversary demonstrations, with 94 of the arrests made in Kitengela town.
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) urges members of the public to report cases of arrests or missing persons following Thursday’s commemoration of the Gen Z protests anniversary.
Police lobbed teargas to disperse crowds near Githurai off the Thika Superhighway after incidents of insecurity. Earlier, rowdy youths were seen robbing people in the area.
Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura has called for the creation of designated demonstration spaces, arguing that such zones would enable Kenyans to exercise their constitutional right to protest without disrupting normal city activities
The Provost of All Saints’ Cathedral, Reverend Canon Evans Omollo, praises both police and protesters for maintaining peace during the June 25 demonstrations. Speaking to The Eastleigh Voice at Parliament Buildings during his prayer tour of the city, he commended the calm that prevailed throughout the protests.
DAP‑K leader Eugene Wamalwa has hailed the peaceful June 25 anniversary march to Parliament and called for investigations and prosecution of officers accused of excessive force, while urging compensation for families of those killed, injured, abducted, or still missing.
DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa, Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka and PLP Party leader Martha Karua lead calls for just as they commemorate June 25, 2024, protest victims. (Photo: Handout)
The Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, has declared that the country remains safe and secure as Gen Z commemorations continue. He further noted that peaceful demonstrations are allowed, with police escorting protesters during the June 25 anniversary activities.
Inspector-General of Police Douglas Kanja. (Photo: X/National Police Service)
Mombasa County Commissioner Mohamed Noor has lauded protesters for holding peaceful June 25 anniversary demonstrations, noting police escorted the procession and no businesses were damaged.
He also extended condolences to families who lost loved ones and said the government is pursuing measures to support victims and their families.
Mombasa County Commissioner Mohamed Noor. (Photo: Farhiya Hussein)
Activists march to Central Police Station, where protesters arrested earlier are reportedly being held, as the June 25 commemorations continue.
Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka lays a wreath in memory of the June 25 protest victims.
United Opposition leaders, including Eugene Wamalwa, Kalonzo Musyoka, Martha Karua, and David Maraga, arrive at Parliament Buildings to lay a wreath in memory of the June 25 protest victims.
Activist Boniface Mwangi urges protesters to converge at the Holy Family Basilica, Nairobi, for prayers as the June 25 anniversary commemorations continue in the CBD.
Activist Boniface Mwangi during the 2024 protests in Nairobi CBD. (Photo: Sema Ukweli)
Activists and protesters sing and dance to “Mapambano Yaendelea” in Nairobi during the June 25 anniversary demonstrations, as commemorators honour those killed in the 2024 Gen Z protests.
Police and protesters clash outside Parliament Buildings shortly after the reading of the names of those killed in the June 25, 2024, protests.
Nairobi police commander Issa Mohamud has denied claims that roads were closed during the June 25 demonstrations, saying officers were only screening for individuals intending to infiltrate the protests.
Nairobi Regional Police Commander Issa Mohamud speaking to journalists on April 17, 2026. (Photo: Justine Ondieki)Boda boda riders escort Siaya Governor James Orengo as he arrives at Parliament Buildings, holding the Kenyan flag to join the June 25 anniversary commemorations.
Siaya Governor James Orengo waves the Kenyan flag on arrival at Parliament Buildings. (Photo: Amina Wako)29 youths, including activist Aslam Longton, arrested in Kitengela over alleged protest incitement; Bob Njagi set to be arraigned.
Activist Bob Njagi. (Photo: Handout)
Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura says security measures have been heightened to prevent disruption during the June 25 protest anniversary, citing concerns over possible infiltration of Nairobi’s CBD.
Government Spokesman Isaac Mwaura. (Photo: File/Justine Ondieki)Police officers and security vehicles heavily outnumber civilians near the Kenya National Archives in Nairobi CBD, with a significant deployment witnessed along Moi Avenue on June 25, 2026, as authorities maintain heightened security in the city centre.
Police have barricaded key entry points into Kitengela, restricting matatus from accessing the CBD via Namanga Road, Mombasa Road, Athi River and Mlolongo routes ahead of the planned June 25 protests.
Downtown Nairobi saw little activity on Thursday, with Tom Mboya Street and Moi Avenue, usually bustling with human and motor traffic, largely deserted.
Downtown Nairobi largely deserted. (Photo: Barack Oduor)Activists gathered at the ACK Cathedral in Mombasa before heading to Mapemeni to commemorate the June 25, 2025, anniversary, marking the Gen Z protesters who lost their lives during anti‑government demonstrations.
Mombasa activists gathered at the ACK Cathedral before heading to Mapemeni to launch the protests. (Photo: Farhiya Hussein)
Top Stories Today
Comments
Sign in with Google to comment, reply, and like comments.
Continue with Google