LIVE: #SiriNiNumbers June 25 Anniversary Protests

Youths plan to lay flowers in remembrance of the fallen, then march toward the State House to demand justice and an end to police brutality.

Viral Tea Ke Writer Viral Tea Ke Writer
Jun 25, 2025 - 11:01 Updated: Jun 25, 2025 - 16:02
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LIVE: #SiriNiNumbers June 25 Anniversary Protests
Kenyans protesting in Nairobi CBD on June 25, 2025. /WANJIKU REPORTS

The June 25 demonstrations are being organised to honour those who died during last year’s ‘Occupy Parliament’ protests.

Youths plan to lay flowers in remembrance of the fallen, then march toward the State House to demand justice and an end to police brutality.

Activists and members of civil society have gone as far as declaring the day a public holiday to commemorate the first anniversary of the protests, but the government has firmly rejected the idea, insisting no such holiday will be recognised.

As early as 8.00 am, Kenyans flooded Nairobi CBD and in major towns across the country, amidst heavy police presence, and nearly all businesses closed as a precaution ahead of the protests dubbed on social media as #SiriNiNumbers

Follow minute-by-minute coverage below of the June 25 protests:

3.54 pm: The Kenyan government is now raiding television transmission stations in line with its live coverage gag order. The Communications Authority (CA) has raided NTV’s Limuru transmission station and forcefully switched off the Free-to-Air signal, the station says. KTN has also confirmed that its signal has been taken off air too.

3.33 pm: We are reporting having trouble accessing Telegram in Kenya, with this corroborated by internet internet observatory, Netlocks. 

"Confirmed: Live metrics show restrictions to messaging platform Telegram in Kenya are now in effect; the measure comes as authorities issue a ban on live media coverage of the June 25 anniversary protests, amid rising concerns over the risk of a wider internet shutdown," stated Netlocks on X.

3.29 pm: Protesters are seen making their way to Uhuru Park in Nairobi CBD amidst a planned march to State House.

3.24 pm: Two people die; one was shot dead during protests in Eldoret and another was shot dead in Matuu, Machakos County, with several others injured during a confrontation between police and protesters.

The fatal clash erupted outside the Matuu police station in Machakos County. Witnesses said the man was hit as protesters attempted to force their way into the station during a march linked to the Gen Z-led demonstrations sweeping across Kenya.

3:23pm: Motorists are stranded along the Southern Bypass just past the Ngong Road interchange after youths barricaded the road at the Dagoretti–Karen interchange.

2:57 pm: A large group of protesters from Kiambu is seen making their way towards the CBD. Protests expected to intensify as protesters, police lock horns.

2:34 pm: Nyanza region, including Kisumu, remains calm. No protests reported, with both transport and business activities running normally.

2:29 pm: President William Ruto is attending the funeral of Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung'aro's father in Kilifi. He is accompanied by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, even as demonstrations escalate across the country.

2:17 pm: Members of Parliament vacated the parliamentary premises shortly after concluding the morning session due to a lack of quorum, following an advisory amid intensifying protests in the CBD.

1:47 pm: Standard Group PLC has pledged to continue broadcasting the June 25 protests live, despite directives from CAK. The company says it is seeking legal advice to determine the validity of the order.

1:30 pm: Protesters and police engage in a back-and-forth at the CBD, near the Bank of India. Protests are becoming increasingly charged. Protesters hurl stones towards police while police respond in kind with water cannons and tear gas.

1.07 pm: Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) orders that all television and radio stations stop live coverage of the ongoing June 25 demonstrations. Read more here

12.56 pm: Police lob teargas at journalists covering the nationwide protests at the GPO area in Nairobi CBD.

12.32 pm: Police teargas protesters playing football in Nairobi CBD as protests intensify.

12:28pm: Water canons deployed to quell protesters. Footage shows police spraying water to protesters in the CBD.

12:23 pm: Protests kick off in Malindi, the second coastal city to witness protests after Mombasa.

12.07 pm: A protester who was shot by police has been rushed to Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), a video clip emerging showing the protester being wheeled in by doctors at the accident and emergency section. No confirmed reports of fatalities during the protests across the country as of now.

12:03 pm: One police officer was seriously injured during protests in the CBD after being caught in a melee with protesters. The officer has been rushed to Kenyatta National Hospital.

11:56 am: Activist Hussein Khalid is seen giving first aid to a police officer affected by tear gas during protests in Nairobi CBD.

11.48 am: Former Chief Justice (CJ) David Maraga, who joined in the Nairobi CBD protests, issues a statement after being teargassed along Kimathi Street in Nairobi as he joined protesters marking the anniversary of the June 25 demonstrations.

"We strongly condemn the use of state violence against grieving families and peaceful protestors. The flagrant violation of the Constitution and human rights must stop," he stated on X.

Earlier, Maraga had addressed his supporters outside the Nation Centre building, calling for peaceful and orderly protests. Supporters shielded him to safety when police lobbed teargas canisters into the crowd.

11:48 am: A sea of protesters is seen coming in from Thika Road, occupying both sides of the Thika Superhighway. Police forced to retreat as protests intensify.

11.44 am: Suspected goons with batons spotted at Eldoret City as protests kick off.

11.09 am: Police fire teargas to disperse protesters along Thika Road at Githurai 45 as they engage them in running battles to restore calm in the area.

10:57 am: Nyeri-Karatina Highway reportedly closed as protests across the country intensify. So far, no violence, no goons spotted.

10:43 am: Protesters in Nakuru take to the streets with placards and twigs, interrupting traffic flow as they join the rest of the country in the June 25 protests. 

10:34 AM: Busia Senator and activist Okiya Omtatah breaks past a police barrier and proceeds toward Parliament, joined by a group of protesters. Police do not intervene.

10:27 AM: Former Chief Justice David Maraga and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino join the protests in Nairobi’s CBD.

10:19 AM: Protesters in Kisii set a tyre ablaze, temporarily blocking the road. Despite the fire, the protests remain peaceful. Police maintain a presence.

10:14 AM: Lang’ata Road is closed near the Madaraka roundabout, with access denied to all. Police are also stationed at Nyayo Stadium. Elsewhere on Haile Selassie Avenue, police chase away a group of motorbike-riding protesters.

9:56 AM: Nairobi police fire teargas to disperse crowds at Kenyatta Avenue and Kimathi Street, and along University Way near Central Police Station.

9:52 AM: Demonstrators in Kisii town are actively marching through the streets, blowing whistles and chanting “wantam.”

9:43 AM: Protesters in the Nairobi CBD light candles as the crowd continues to grow.

9:40 AM: Kisumu’s streets remain quiet, with minimal protest activity and normal traffic flow across the city.

9:30 AM: In Mombasa, protesters take to the CBD streets waving Kenyan flags and holding placards while dancing. In Nairobi, a growing crowd on Moi Avenue chants and waves flags.

9:24 AM: Kalonzo Musyoka, Eugene Wamalwa, and allied leaders are stopped and turned back while trying to lay wreaths at Parliament.

9:20 AM: Kalonzo and Wamalwa leave Holy Family Basilica after prayers and begin their walk toward Parliament to lay wreaths.

8:50 AM: Opposition leaders, including Kalonzo and Wamalwa, gather at Holy Family Basilica. They demand compensation for the families of protesters killed in the 2024 anti-Finance Bill demonstrations. They also announced the launch of the People’s Justice Commission, led by former CS Justin Muturi.

8:18 AM: Heavy police deployment is seen on State House Road, which is sealed off amid reports that protesters may attempt to "occupy State House."

7:16 AM: Police block major roads into Nairobi’s CBD. Jogoo, Ngong, Limuru, Kiambu, and Mombasa roads are barricaded for security checks. Key checkpoints include City Stadium, JKIA, the Israeli Embassy, and Runda Mall.

7:00 AM: Parliament is surrounded by security forces and barricaded. Dozens of anti-riot police and water cannons are deployed outside Bunge Towers, following last year’s breach by protesters.

5:00 AM: Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen holds a meeting with top police officials, including IG Douglas Kanja, before walking the streets of Nairobi to assess the situation before the planned protests.

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