A similar scene has played out in Kisii Town, the stronghold of former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, where residents have lit bonfires and burned tires on major roads.
This marks the first time that Kisii and Nyeri have come out forcefully to make their voices heard after remaining largely lukewarm during the 2024 anti-government protests.
In Kisii, residents marched through the streets and blocked key highways, including the Kisii-Migori Highway and the Kisii-Kisumu Road.
“We want justice for our fellow Gen Zs,” shouted one of the protesters in Kisii CBD on June 25, 2025.
Nyeri, the political backyard of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua—who fell out with President William Ruto, leading to his ouster—is also witnessing an unprecedented show of resistance.
It is the first time the county has registered a strong presence on the national protest map, after only low-key participation in 2024.
At the time, Gachagua was still serving as the country’s
second-in-command, which may have discouraged residents from demonstrating
openly.
However, Gachagua has not been spotted at the protests or seen in public since they began early on June 25.
In massive demonstrations, Nyeri residents have flooded the streets in several estates, calling for an end to police brutality and abductions.
Gen Z protesters in Nyeri launched a peaceful march along Gakere Road, vowing to remain calm and avoid destruction of property as they demand accountability and governance reforms.
Across the country, Kenyans are marching to mark the first anniversary of the historic storming of Parliament by protesters.
They are honouring those who were killed during last year’s anti-government protests, though there are concerns the march could escalate into unrest.
Rights activists, families of the killed and missing, and young Kenyans—who were the driving force behind last year’s protests—have mobilised both online and on the ground.
Opposition leaders have dubbed June 25 a “people’s public holiday,” while police have been deployed to maintain public order.
Last year’s protests, which began on June 18, were sparked by proposed tax hikes. Although they started peacefully, they turned chaotic following a violent police response.
At least 60 people were killed, and many others disappeared under unclear circumstances.
The scope of the protests later broadened into demands for
national reforms and the resignation of President William Ruto.
