16 People Killed In June 25 Protests: What We Know So Far
On Wednesday, KNCHR reported that eight people succumbed to gunshot wounds across six counties, a number that with this new revelation, is feared to rise as time goes by.
Marvin Chege 
16 people died during nationwide anti-government protests in Kenya on Wednesday, June 25, which were held in commemoration of the dozens killed during the anti-Finance Bill 2024 demonstrations.
According to Amnesty Kenya's executive director Irungu Houghton who spoke to Reuters, some protesters clashed with police during the protests and the 16 were "verified dead as of 8:30" on Thursday morning, June 26.
Confirmed by the global human rights watchdog and the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), Houghton stated that the majority of the victims were killed by police, with at least five having been fatally shot.
On Wednesday, KNCHR reported that eight people succumbed to gunshot wounds across six counties, a number that with this new revelation, is feared to rise as time goes by.
Activist Hussein Khalid showing live bullets fired from guns used by police officers during the June 25, 2025 demonstrations. /VIRAL TEA KE
"The KNCHR has received reports of eight (8) fatalities. All deaths allegedly from gunshot wounds in six (6) different Counties, namely: two (2) in Machakos, two (2) in Makueni, one (1) in Nakuru, one (1) in Kiambu, one (1) in Uasin Gishu County and one (1) in Nyandarua. The right to life. The Commission condoles with families of the deceased," stated KNCHR in a statement.
Further, over four hundred (400) casualties have been reported, including demonstrators, police officers and journalists. "Most of them were treated and discharged, eighty-three (83) of them were referred for specialised treatment, and eight (8) with gunshot wounds," added KNCHR.
The first confirmed death this year occurred in Matuu, Machakos County, where a protester was shot as police fired at a group attempting to storm a police station.
In Nairobi, Kenya Power reported that a security guard stationed at its Stima Plaza headquarters was shot while on duty around 4:30 p.m. He was rushed to the hospital but was declared dead on arrival. The company has since launched investigations with relevant authorities to determine the exact circumstances of the shooting.
Photos of the guard circulated widely online, sparking public outrage, especially since he was not involved in the protests and was simply carrying out his duties.
The Mukuru Community Justice Centre also reported two additional fatalities in Nairobi — a young man and a child — allegedly shot by officers from Villa Police Station while they were dispersing crowds in Mukuru Kwa Njenga.
Another death was recorded in Pipeline, Embakasi, where videos shared online showed a man lying motionless on the road after being shot. While his death hasn’t been officially confirmed, he is believed to be among the eight confirmed victims.
In Nakuru County, a high school student participating in the protests was fatally shot as police opened fire to disperse demonstrators. Four more protesters were injured in the chaos, two of them critically, and taken to the hospital.
Elsewhere, on Thika Road, a person was shot at Roasters inside Mountain Mall. The incident triggered looting at the Naivas supermarket located within the mall.
Another disturbing case emerged from Juja, where social media footage showed a protester moments before being shot in the head and left bleeding on the ground.
President Ruto’s senior economic advisor, Moses Kuria, later claimed that four people were killed in Nyeri County. Additional unverified reports point to fatalities in several areas: including in Matuu, Emali, Embakasi, Juja, Kikuyu, Molo, Olkalou, and Ngara.
