Dozens hurt as Kenyans mark first anniversary of Gen Z protests

Hundreds of Gen Z protesters march along Thika Superhighway to Nairobi CBD, on June 25, 2025. [Gitau Wanyoike, Standard]

Scores of protestors have been injured following Wednesday's demonstrations as Kenyans took to the streets in major cities and towns across the country to mark the first anniversary of the June 25, Gen Z-led protests. 

This came after confrontations erupted between the security officers and protestors for the better part of the day-long protests marred with teargas and gunshots.

The police officers also used water cannons to disperse growing crowds in Nairobi while they engaged in running battles with protesters.

Speaking to The Standard, the Red Cross Emergency Preparedness and Response Manager, Anthony Muchiri, said the injured are nursing various wounds, including gunshots, as "some casualties come with lacerations from a rubber bullet." 

Others, he said, had surface bruises and muscle injuries acquired by protestors while running for safety.  

"We have been attending to injuries and casualties and referring them over to different hospitals, primarily the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH)," he said. 

He said the organisation received patients from their three emergency medical centres, including All Saints Cathedral and Jamia Mosque in Nairobi Business District. 

"Teams are just handling injuries that show up and those that we can pick up as we refer others to the hospital," he said.  

The protests, marked by high tension and heavy police deployment across Nairobi and other towns, quickly escalated into violent confrontations, with several footages showing wounded demonstrators being wheeled into KNH’s casualty department and others attended to by medical personnel across the CBD.