• Kenyans gather to commemorate the anniversary of the 2024 anti-government protests, facing substantial police presence.
• Interior Minister warns against chaos, leading to hundreds of arrests amid claims for justice and compensation.
• Victims' families demand transparency in government’s compensation efforts, amidst claims of police brutality.

On June 25, 2026, Kenyans took to the streets to commemorate the second anniversary of the protests that left at least 60 individuals dead in 2024 due to a police crackdown on demonstrators opposing tax hikes and rising living costs. The police displayed a heavy presence in Nairobi, closing roads and setting up barricades to prevent access to parliament, echoing events from two years prior when the situation escalated dramatically, according to Reuters, africanews, and Al Jazeera.

In response to the marches organized to honor those killed, police detained over 355 individuals, labeling them as "criminals." Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen justified these actions as necessary to protect businesses and maintain order, indicating that a crackdown was essential to prevent chaos similar to the previous protests. Despite previous government assurances that protests would be allowed, the response was heavily militarized, with police stating that they would not permit disruptions to daily life, according to africanews and Al Jazeera.

Families of victims from the 2024 protests voiced their frustrations over the lack of transparency surrounding the promised $15.5 million government compensation for victims. Many express disbelief at the slow pace of disbursement, indicating that only two families out of ten eligible have received any compensation. Activists and family members continue to push for justice, demanding accountability for those responsible for the deadly crackdown. "This compensation cannot replace justice," lamented one grieving mother, as opposition leaders joined the movement, according to Reuters and Al Jazeera.

As tensions escalated, reports indicated that police resorted to tear gas to disperse peaceful gatherings, raising concerns of excessive force being used against individuals merely seeking to honor their loved ones. The government has acknowledged past incidents of police misconduct but insists that the compensation framework should not be misconstrued as an admission of guilt. Activists remain skeptical, reiterating calls for genuine accountability, according to Reuters, africanews, and Al Jazeera.