Kenya’s June 25 Lockdown: Security, Politics, and a Nation on Edge

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Video originally published on June 27, 2025.

On June 25, Nairobi’s skyline was transformed by razor‑wire fences, armed police and a citywide curtailment of movement. The unprecedented security cordon around Parliament and other government ministries signaled a decisive, hard‑line response to a wave of protests that swept 25 of Kenya’s 47 counties. What began as a commemoration of lives lost in 2024 quickly evolved into a flashpoint that exposed deep political fissures, soaring economic hardship and a government willing to deploy force at the heart of its capital. The events of that day are reshaping Kenya’s democratic trajectory and demand urgent attention.

Key Takeaways

On June 25, Nairobi was encircled by razor‑wire and police, marking the first citywide lockdown in Kenya’s history.
The lockdown followed mass protests sparked by President William Ruto’s Finance Bill, which raised living costs and triggered widespread anger.
Economic hardship—doubling food prices, soaring electricity tariffs, and stagnant job growth—amplified political grievances and fueled the unrest.
Government forces deployed riot‑control vehicles, mounted police, drones, and police dogs, creating a visible deterrent against demonstrators.
Media suppression tactics, including restrictions on coverage and intimidation of journalists, aimed to limit the spread of protest narratives.
The event exposed deep political fractures, revealing tensions between the ruling coalition and opposition groups over policy and governance.

The Unprecedented Security Lockdown Around Nairobi’s Parliament

When Kenyans rose on the morning of June 25, the sight that greeted them was unlike any in recent memory. Parliament, a building traditionally open to school excursions, was encircled by glinting coils of razor wire, concrete barricades and a dense deployment of police officers. The lockdown extended beyond the legislative chamber; key arteries leading to ministries and City Hall were cordoned off, riot‑control vehicles occupied multiple intersections, and mounted police patrolled on horseback. Drones buzzed overhead while police dogs growled at anyone daring to approach. This visual transformation was not merely cosmetic; it represented a level of security around the nation’s political core that officials had been warning about for weeks and that had never before been witnessed in Kenya’s post‑independence era. Waimiri On Wednesday the 25th of June, Kenyans in the capital Nairobi woke up to an unfamiliar sight. Parliament, a building so easily accessible that schools take students there on excursions to learn about the inner workings of government, was encircled by glinting coils of razor wire, barricades, and a heavy police presence.

Political Fractures Behind the June 25 Unrest

The heavy‑handed security response was rooted in a series of political flashpoints that had been simmering for months. In May 2024, President William Ruto’s administration introduced a Finance Bill that would dramatically raise the cost of living, prompting mass street protests in which 60 people died and parliament itself was partially set ablaze. The government’s subsequent dismissal and quiet rehiring of most cabinet members left the public distrustful. Further inflaming tensions, teacher‑turned‑online commentator Albert Ojwang was arrested on June 7 for allegedly impugning the Deputy Inspector General of Police and was later killed while in custody under a suspicious claim of head injuries. The police shooting of mask vendor Boniface Kariuki on June 17, captured on video and widely shared, added to the perception of a security apparatus acting with impunity. Critics, including Daily Nation editor John Kamau, accused President Ruto of emulating former dictator Daniel Moi, deepening the sense that the state was moving toward authoritarianism.

Economic Strain and Social Discontent as Catalysts

Economic hardship amplified the political grievances. The Finance Bill’s proposed levies would have further inflated already soaring living costs. Over the past three years, food prices have doubled, electricity tariffs have spiked without warning, and job creation has lagged far behind population growth, leaving each graduation season feeling like a collective cliff‑jump. New state levies added to a pressure cooker environment where even the hint of additional taxes provoked public outrage. This economic desperation turned abstract policy discontent into a tangible, street‑level demand for justice and relief. In May 2024, President Ruto’s government introduced a controversial Finance Bill that would have exponentially increased the cost of living for Kenyans, many of whom were already on the brink. Ruto’s enduring base is anchored in the rural Rift Valley counties that propelled him into office, evangelical churches enamored with his deep pockets, and a slice of the "hustler‑class" informal sector that still credits his micro‑credit schemes with cushioning them during difficult economic times.

Government’s Tactical Response: Police Deployment and Media Suppression

Authorities met the protests with a coordinated security strategy. Riot‑control vehicles, mounted police, drones and police dogs formed a visible deterrent. When demonstrators attempted to move toward the Central Business District, police halted a bus on Valley Road, forcing passengers to walk three kilometres under tear‑gas fire. Throughout the day, police escalated from whips and batons to rubber bullets, live ammunition, water cannons and repeated tear‑gas volleys, resulting in hundreds of injuries. Simultaneously, the Communication Authority of Kenya ordered television and radio stations to cease live coverage, even forcibly entering a transmission station to shut down free‑to‑air signals. Despite these orders, many media houses continued broadcasting, underscoring a clash between state control and press freedom. Riot control vehicles sat at multiple intersections while more police officers, some on horseback, patrolled the streets. For many in these constituencies, the protests feel like a Nairobi‑centric spectacle led by middle‑class Gen‑Zs and urban professionals who can afford to hashtag between shifts; they may lament police excesses, yet they fear that perpetual unrest will scare off the very investors whose projects promise jobs.

Public Reaction: From Schoolfield Trips to Nationwide Protests

The lockdown could not contain the public’s resolve. While Parliament’s doors were sealed, citizens from all walks of life converged on Nairobi and across 25 counties, swelling the protests to tens of thousands according to conservative estimates. Ordinary Kenyans—students accustomed to visiting Parliament, activists, and everyday workers—joined the marches, chanting, singing and eventually confronting police with tear‑gas and live fire. Reports emerged of women experiencing sexual assault and men enduring severe physical violence as the day turned to night. International journalist Larry Madowo captured harrowing footage of police cornering protesters in alleys, beating them and then deploying tear‑gas. Amnesty Kenya later estimated at least 16 deaths and hundreds of injuries, while civil‑society groups and social‑media users amplified the narrative of state repression. As the police were setting up barriers, people from all walks of life were making their way to the heart of Nairobi.

Implications for Kenya’s Democratic Stability and Future Outlook

The June 25 events have laid bare a nation at a crossroads. Ruling coalition leaders quickly labeled protesters as anarchists and “terrorism disguised as dissent,” praising police “professionalism” while denying any excesses. Opposition voices and foreign diplomats called for restraint and respect for the rule of law, highlighting an increasingly embattled government both domestically and abroad. Analysts such as columnist Lewis Ngunyi argue that the regime, not the country, is crumbling, yet President Ruto’s support remains strong in rural Rift Valley counties, evangelical churches and segments of the informal “hustler‑class.” Polls suggest Ruto is positioned as the frontrunner for the 2027 election, despite widespread chants of “Ruto Must Go.” The lack of a unified protest agenda and the government’s willingness to reward police aggressors suggest further cycles of unrest are likely unless economic pressures ease or political reforms emerge. As the nation grapples with brutal cost‑of‑living increases and a state apparatus willing to suppress dissent, Kenya’s democratic institutions face a pivotal test.

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FAQ

What triggered the June 25 lockdown in Nairobi?

The lockdown was triggered by a wave of protests across 25 Kenyan counties, sparked by President William Ruto’s Finance Bill that raised living costs and led to widespread anger and unrest.

How did the Kenyan government respond to the protests on June 25?

The government responded by deploying a dense security cordon around Parliament and other ministries, using razor‑wire, concrete barricades, riot‑control vehicles, mounted police, drones, and police dogs to deter demonstrators.

What were the main economic grievances that fueled the protests?

Economic grievances included the Finance Bill’s proposed levies that would inflate living costs, a doubling of food prices over three years, soaring electricity tariffs, and a lack of job creation to match population growth.

What role did media play during the June 25 unrest?

Media coverage was suppressed through restrictions on reporting, intimidation of journalists, and attempts to control the narrative, limiting the public’s access to information about the protests and government actions.

Who were the key political figures involved in the June 25 events?

Key figures included President William Ruto, Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, and opposition voices such as Albert Ojwang and Boniface Kariuki.

Sources

About the Author

Wilfred M. Waimiri

Wilfred M. Waimiri creates and presents analysis focused on military doctrine, strategic competition, and conflict dynamics.

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