President Ruto Avoids Nairobi as Gen Z Protests Erupt Nationwide
President William Ruto was absent from Nairobi on Wednesday as thousands of Gen Z protesters took to the streets across Kenya to mark one year since the deadly anti-Finance Bill demonstrations that shook the nation.
Instead of addressing the country from the capital, Ruto traveled to Kilifi County, where he joined former Prime Minister Raila Odinga at the funeral of Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro’s father in Dabaso.
His absence came on a day of intense public emotion and renewed calls for justice. Protesters gathered in Nairobi’s central business district, Kitengela, Nyeri, Kisii, and along Thika Road. Many held photos of those killed during the 2024 protests, while others waved placards demanding accountability for the lives lost.
Police responded with tear gas and arrests, reigniting concerns over the use of force. Eyewitnesses in Nairobi reported heavy deployment of anti-riot units and sporadic confrontations between police and demonstrators. Streets around Parliament were barricaded as officers tried to prevent a repeat of last year’s breach.
Rights organizations and foreign missions warned against suppressing peaceful protests. The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) urged restraint, noting the 2024 protests ended in the deaths of over 60 young people, most under 30.
“We cannot forget those who died. We are not here for violence. We want answers,” said 22-year-old protester Wanjiru, standing near Jeevanjee Gardens with a banner reading “Justice for June 25.”
On Tuesday, ahead of the protests, President Ruto defended the police in a televised address. He warned that what he called “organized lawlessness” would not be tolerated and gave security agencies the green light to “take firm action.” His tone drew backlash from civil society leaders, who accused him of failing to recognize the peaceful intent of the Gen Z-led movement.
At the Kilifi funeral, Ruto appeared calm, shaking hands with mourners and exchanging brief remarks with Odinga. The two have recently presented a united front in public appearances, a shift that has drawn criticism from younger Kenyans who view the political establishment as detached from their struggles.
The President’s decision to attend a coastal burial rather than confront the national tension in Nairobi fueled public frustration.
“Ruto ran from Nairobi to attend a funeral while the country burns. That silence speaks volumes,” wrote human rights advocate Brian Mwangi on X .
Meanwhile, the Kenya Editors’ Guild condemned the Communications Authority of Kenya for ordering a halt to live media coverage of the protests. In a public statement, the Guild called the directive illegal and a direct attack on constitutional rights.
“Silencing live coverage undermines accountability and defies court orders,” KEG stated.
Despite media restrictions, footage shared across social platforms documented peaceful marches, makeshift memorials, and volunteers distributing water and first aid. Protesters largely maintained order, though isolated clashes were reported in parts of Nairobi and Kisii.
By evening, protest leaders had called for a moment of silence nationwide to honor those killed in the anti finance bill 2024 protest outside parliament building. Crowds knelt, lit candles, and sang the national anthem in unison a solemn reminder of the cost of civic dissent in Kenya.
No government official had issued a formal statement on the protests by press time.
As the sun set over Nairobi, a handwritten sign taped to a statue in the city center read: “You can kill us, but you cannot silence us.”
