A surge of discontent among Kenyan youth has fuelled plans for a major protest targeting State House, the official residence of President William Ruto, on June 25, 2025, as calls for justice, systemic change, and the president’s resignation intensify.
The movement, largely coordinated online by Gen Z activists, reflects growing frustration with Ruto’s administration over issues like corruption, economic hardship, and alleged police brutality, echoing the violent unrest of 2024 that saw over 50 deaths.
Social media posts on X, including one by @AkumaNdirangu
, indicate plans for a “million-person march” to demand accountability and #RutoMustGo.
The protests stem from a pattern of grievances, including the controversial Finance Bill 2024, which sparked nationwide demonstrations last June after proposing tax hikes on essentials like bread and sanitary pads.
Although Ruto withdrew the bill following deadly clashes, where police used tear gas and live bullets, killing at least 23 and injuring hundreds, public anger persists.
The 2024 protests saw parliament stormed and parts set ablaze, with activists accusing the government of heavy-handed tactics and abductions.
Recent posts on social media, such as @FGaitho237’s call to “#OccupyStatehouse2025,” highlight ongoing demands for justice, particularly for victims like Albert Ojwang, killed in police custody.
Organisers emphasise unity and resilience, rejecting ethnic divisions that have historically shaped Kenyan politics.
“This is a citizen-led movement, not opposition-driven,” said activist Judy Achieng, echoing sentiments from the 2024 protests.
Ruto’s attempts to quell unrest, including dismissing his cabinet and forming a unity government with opposition leader Raila Odinga, have been criticised as superficial, with netizens like @C_NyaKundiH labelling the system “beyond fixing”.
The inclusion of Odinga’s allies in the cabinet has fuelled accusations of political opportunism, further eroding trust.
Human rights groups, including Amnesty International, have called for accountability for police abuses, noting a lack of justice for 2023 and 2024 protest victims.
As the State House march approaches, security forces are on high alert, with roadblocks reported in Nairobi. Kenya’s youth remain defiant, seeking a future free from corruption and oppression.
