Seconded By: John McDermott,
In June and July of 2024, Kenya was gripped by a wave of protests that emerged from the grassroots to reject the government’s proposed 2024 finance bill. Organized without political or tribal influence, and without a leadership, this movement was like no other uprising in the country’s history. Dubbed the “Gen Z protest”, due to the strong mobilization of and organization by young people, it was a response to aggressive tax plans coming from the government of President William Ruto.
Looking deeper, however, the protests were rooted in the long-standing inequality and corruption that plagues Kenya. The protests reached a hiatus on June 25th when Members of Parliament voted in the finance bill, while hundreds of thousands of protestors simultaneously marched across Kenya to demand it be withdrawn. President Ruto eventually rescinded the bill the next day, after dozens had been killed by security forces and hundreds injured.
This photographic series chronicles various stages of the protest, from the initial peaceful demonstration and feeling of hope, to police brutality, public anger and subsequent looting and violence. Most importantly, the series aims to show how the Kenyan youth united organically to change the course of their future, despite intimidation and violence. Ultimately, although the tax bill was revoked by President Ruto, calls for his resignation became the rallying cry of protestors and continues to be their demand till this day.
Having spent over nine years living on and off in Kenya, I have witnessed the post-election violence that consumed the country in 2007, as well as the political violence of 2023. In both instances, politics and/or tribal influence – long-time foes of the Kenyan people – were the driving forces. And in both instances, division and violence were at the centre stage. What gave so much hope for the Gen Z movement was its conscious determination to be different. To rewrite the playbook on civic engagement.
These ten images are a testament to the spirit of resilience and resolve of the Kenyan people. They are by no means a complete story of what took place in those weeks in June and July. Rather, they are an attempt to highlight the struggle of the millions who yearn for change and dignity, and how they were united and then intimidated for daring to hope.
Class is cancelled
A peaceful demonstrator stands defiantly with a rose in downtown Nairobi, protesting the government’s handling of the situation. The finance bill protests that engulfed Kenya were led by young, peaceful protestors.
Fear of God, not government
Youth march peacefully in downtown Nairobi during the massive June 25th protest. Led by young people, the protest movement was dubbed the Gen Z protest after spontaneously growing from discontent on social media and galvanizing young Kenyans.
To rise and fall as one
Passers-by stop to help a man who was injured during skirmishes with police on June 25th in downtown Nairobi. Following the high number of killed and injured protestors on that day, Kenyan’s came together en mass to donate money and blood.
Not forgotten
A pool of blood dries on the fallen fence of the parliament, while police stand guard in the background the day after the legislature was overrun. After losing control of the building, security forces fired live ammunition into the crowd, killing and injuring several.
When anger prevails
A mob throws stones at an ambulance in downtown Nairobi on June 25th, falsely believing it was carrying parliamentarians. After voting in the finance bill, some MPs – nicknamed M Pigs by protestors – escaped the parliament in ambulances, prompting anger.
Castles in the sky
The skyline of Nairobi’s upmarket Upper Hill neighbourhood sits behind thick plumes of smoke rising from various parts of Uhuru Park. Following the heavy-handed response by security forces clearing the parliament, angry protestors burned and vandalized the park.
The morning after
Emergency responders work to put out the last flames that are still burning in the torched Uganda House building in downtown Nairobi the morning after June 25th. Initially peaceful, some took advantage of the chaos initiated by police violence to loot and destroy.
"Glass can be replaced, not lives"
A man who was struck in the head by a rubber bullet is helped towards an ambulance. President Ruto has been heavily criticized for the disproportionate response from security forces that caused many deaths and injuries.
Stones and glass houses
A man throws a stone towards anti-riot police in downtown Nairobi on July 2nd. Protests grew more violent after June 25th, when Gen Z’s began accusing the government of hiring thugs to infiltrate and derail the movement.
A spirit of desperation
Police officers search and arrest two men in downtown Nairobi whom they have just whisked away from an angry crowd that accused them of stealing. As the protests turned violent, some people took advantage of the situation to steal.
