Gen Z protests anniversary: Police lob teargas to disrupt demonstrators in Githurai
By Ndiritu Wanjiru, June 25, 2026Police fired teargas canisters at protesters in Githurai on Thursday, June 25, 2026, as anti-Finance Bill protests marking the second anniversary of the June 25, 2024, protests started to gain momentum.
Anti-riot police officers stormed crowds of protesters who had gathered along Thika roads and sparked running battles between the police and the protesters.
The confrontations follow increased paramilitary operations in Nairobi and its neighbouring areas, including the closure of access to certain parts of the city and the blocking of major roads to prevent the arrival of Gen Z demonstrators in Nairobi for the planned Gen Z anniversary rallies.
Since the early morning hours, the police had put up barricades on multiple roads converging into the Central Business District, such as Thika Road, Mombasa Road and roads around Parliament, among other major roads leading to the Central Business District.
The demonstrations taking place on June 25 are to commemorate the deaths of victims at the 2024 anti-government protests, which culminated in the acts of rioting by protesters who broke into Parliament buildings after lawmakers approved the controversial Finance Bill. The events sparked a national uproar and ultimately led to the withdrawal by President William Ruto of the bill.
Githurai was one of the hot spots in the protests of 2024 and has continued to be a symbolic location in the continuing struggle for accountability for police brutality and the killing of protesters.
Heavy police presence across major towns
The government, through the Ministry of Interior, had reported Thursday, June 25, 2026, to be a normal working day, but Kenyans woke up to blocked roads and heavy police presence blocking entry into Kenya’s capital.
The atmosphere remains tense in Githurai as the protesters rallied before being driven away by tear gas, while security forces continued to be on high alert in the vicinity.