On Monday, December 22, anti-riot police officers deployed tear gas to disperse a group of protesters marching toward State House Nairobi.
The demonstrators were seeking an audience with President William Ruto and demanding justice for victims of the 2024 and 2025 anti-government protests. Video footage obtained by Nairobileo.co.ke showed protesters retreating as tear gas filled the area.
The incident followed the arrest of two activists, Julius Kamau and Collins Otieno, at Jeevanjee Gardens in Nairobi CBD ahead of the march.
Anti-Riot Police Use Tear Gas to Disperse Protesters Marching to State House Nairobi. Photo: Courtesy.
Both were taken into custody by heavily armed police officers and transported to Nairobi Central Police Station.
Families and relatives of youths killed during the 2024–2025 anti-government protests announced plans to march to the State House to demand accountability and justice for the delayed response to the killings.
In a formal notice, the group said they would gather at Jeevanjee Gardens at 9:00 am before proceeding to State House.
They described the march as a peaceful appeal, carrying only flowers and the national flag, emphasizing that no protest action would be taken.
During the June 2024 protests, at least 50 people were killed and more than 400 injured nationwide.
The June–July 2025 demonstrations claimed at least 65 lives, left 342 civilians injured, and resulted in 171 police officers being wounded.
