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Two years after young Kenyans stormed parliament in protest against a controversial finance bill, demonstrators are returning to the streets of Nairobi and other major cities on Thursday to mark the anniversary of the Gen Z uprising. Police were deployed in large numbers in the capital, with roadblocks erected and parliament heavily secured, according to reports.

Coverage comparison

Africa News reported that police were deployed in large numbers in Nairobi as demonstrators called for justice for victims of police violence. Al Jazeera noted that the government had repeatedly warned against the protests and ordered heavy police deployment, while Deutsche Welle described the anniversary as a symbol of resistance against police brutality and economic hardship.

Al Jazeera and Deutsche Welle both trace the origins of the protests to the Finance Bill 2024, which young Kenyans opposed over rising living costs, unemployment, and concerns about governance. Both outlets report that the protests led to the withdrawal of the bill. However, the two outlets differ on the death toll: Al Jazeera reports that more than 120 people were killed in the protests, while Deutsche Welle cites a figure of at least 60, attributing it to the government-mandated Kenya National Commission on Human Rights.

Al Jazeera also reported that President William Ruto's government has been criticized for its handling of the protests and that it has introduced a new Finance Act, 2026, which has met with opposition. Deutsche Welle emphasized the decentralized and leaderless nature of the movement.

Key claims

  • The Gen Z protests in Kenya began in 2024 in opposition to a finance bill, as reported by both Al Jazeera and Deutsche Welle.
  • The protests led to the withdrawal of the finance bill, according to both Al Jazeera and Deutsche Welle.
  • More than 120 people were killed in the protests, as reported by Al Jazeera.
  • At least 60 people were killed during the protests, according to Deutsche Welle, citing the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights.
  • President William Ruto's government has been criticized for its handling of the protests, as reported by Al Jazeera and Deutsche Welle.
  • The government has introduced a new Finance Act, 2026, which has been met with opposition, according to Al Jazeera.
  • The movement is decentralized and leaderless, as reported by Deutsche Welle.
  • Police deployed in large numbers in Nairobi, as reported by Africa News and Al Jazeera.
  • Demonstrators called for justice for victims of police violence, as reported by Africa News.

Perspectives

The government has defended its compensation programme for victims of police violence, while opposition figures continue to press for greater transparency and justice for affected families, as noted in one report. Activists quoted by Deutsche Welle expressed that little has fundamentally changed, with youth unemployment, rising cost of living, and governance concerns still resonating. A university student in Nairobi told Deutsche Welle that the date serves as a reminder of when the government "lost legitimacy" for saying no to the Finance Bill. Youth activists emphasized the importance of commemoration, with one saying, "We are coming with flowers. So your government should prepare to give us security."