Fury on the Streets - Youthquake in Kenya: Gen Z Takes the Streets Against Ruto, Sparking Nationwide Uprising [VIDEOS]

 

Cities across Kenya are convulsing with the energy of a growing movement. From Nairobi’s central business district to the coastal streets of Mombasa, a tidal wave of youth-led protests has engulfed the country in defiance of President William Ruto’s administration. The message from Kenya’s young generation is unmistakable: they are angry, they are united, and they are not backing down.

The unrest was sparked by the suspicious death of Albert Ojwang, a young teacher and activist who died in police custody earlier this month. His passing has become a lightning rod for deep-seated grievances that have been simmering for years. Many see Ojwang’s death as a symbol of police brutality and unchecked state power.

Public outrage has intensified on the anniversary of last year’s deadly Finance Bill protests, which saw scores of demonstrators killed. This year, the return of demonstrators to the streets has been more organized and more defiant. Youths carried wooden crosses and white flowers through the city, honoring the memory of those killed in previous crackdowns. The air is heavy, not with music or celebration, but with rage and resistance.

Security forces have responded with force. Tear gas, water cannons, rubber bullets, and even live rounds have been used to disperse crowds. The violence has left at least 16 people dead and hundreds more injured. In Nairobi alone, dozens were hospitalized with gunshot wounds. Emergency rooms were overwhelmed, with medical teams racing to treat more than 300 wounded, many of them critically.

Despite the brutality, the protests have grown. They are no longer confined to the capital; demonstrations have erupted in Kisumu, Nakuru, Eldoret, and other towns. This movement has no single leader. It thrives on social media, powered by Gen Z Kenyans who refuse to be silenced or co-opted by traditional political voices. They mobilize quickly, often outpacing the state’s attempts to suppress them.

Their demands are both simple and far-reaching: justice for victims of police killings, an end to corruption, economic reforms, and a halt to what they call “unfair taxation and broken promises.” Many chants and banners feature one clear refrain: “Ruto must go.” This generation, once dismissed as apathetic, is now redefining the country’s political narrative.

Authorities have responded with censorship. Live TV and radio broadcasts of the protests have been suspended, internet access throttled, and platforms like Telegram restricted. Still, videos and images of the unrest flood online networks, keeping the momentum alive. Lawyers, doctors, and civil rights groups have joined the chorus of concern, condemning the government’s use of excessive force and the suppression of media freedoms.

The administration has urged calm, calling for dialogue and restraint. President Ruto has acknowledged public anger, citing reforms already made and others under consideration. But for many protestors, these words ring hollow. They point to continued economic hardship, spiraling inflation, and broken promises as proof that the system is failing them.

On the ground, some protests have faced counter-marches from groups claiming to protect property and business interests. These pro-government factions often operate alongside police, raising fears of vigilante violence and further instability.

This is not simply a protest. It is a reckoning. A generation raised in the shadow of past failures is now forcing the country to confront its future. Their voices are loud, raw, and unfiltered. They are reclaiming the streets, refusing to retreat into silence.

Kenya stands at a crossroads. The resilience and courage of its youth are forcing a national conversation that can no longer be postponed. Whether the government chooses to listen or repress may shape the nation's destiny for years to come.

There is a Revolution going on in Kenya. The CNN, BBC & DW are covering the countrywide protests. No music, no food, no carnival; the people of Kenya are angry with William Ruto. Young people have taken over their country. ✊#SiriNiNumbers #ThirdLiberation pic.twitter.com/qaL9YYgSI8

— NEFERTITI (@firstladyship) June 25, 2025