Wednesday June 25, 2025 marks exactly one year since the 2024 Finance Bill protests—an uprising that etched the day into the heart of Kenya’s political history. Across the country, a new generation is remembering, mourning, and still demanding answers.
It was on this day, a year ago, that thousands of young Kenyans, mostly Gen Z, filled the streets in protest against a Finance Bill they believed threatened their future.
The protests were bold, organized, and digital-first. But what began as peaceful demonstrations ended in tragedy. Dozens were injured. Lives were lost. And a nation was shaken.
One year later, the memories are still raw.
From Nairobi to Mombasa, Kisumu to Nakuru, Kenyans are gathering, some at candlelight vigils, others in prayer services, and many more through online spaces that have become hubs of remembrance and resistance.
For Gen Z, June 25, is not just an anniversary. It is a moment of reckoning.
Despite, the 2025 Finance Bill being already passed, Gen Zs reacted to it peacefully , since it is more compatible with the current state of the nation, as compared to the last year’s one.
Adding to the pain is the ongoing case of Albert Ojwang, a young Kenyan who died in police custody after allegedly posting a message on social media criticizing the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Eliud Lagat.
His death remains under investigation, but for many, it is already clear: freedom of expression is still under threat.
On Wednesday June 25, Ojwang’s name is being remembered alongside those who fell last year. On posters, in speeches, and in silent moments of reflection, he has become part of a growing list of young lives lost too soon in the fight for accountability.
For Kenya’s Gen Z, June 25th is more than a historic date. It is a reminder of who they are and what they’re still fighting for. A future that listens. A country that protects. A government that serves, not silences.
June 25th is not just a day of remembrance. It is a promise to keep speaking, keep questioning, and keep showing up.
Despite warnings from authorities, many have chosen to mark the day in peaceful and creative ways, for instance, sharing stories, projecting messages, and walking silently through streets that once rang with chants and gunfire.
Today is not just a day of remembrance. It is a promise to keep speaking, keep questioning, and keep showing up.
