The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) strongly denounces the ongoing suppression of peaceful protests, media censorship, and rising authoritarianism under the leadership of President William Ruto in Kenya.
On June 25, 2025, the youth of Kenya once again took to the streets across the country to commemorate the tragic events of June 25, 2024, when more than 60 lives were lost during protests against the now-abandoned Finance Bill—a policy backed by the IMF that would have placed an unfair burden on the poor while shielding the privileged.
What started as a stand against economic injustice has evolved into a broader movement demanding accountability, an end to corruption, and a halt to state-sponsored violence. In response, the Ruto administration has escalated its crackdown, deploying brutal force and attempting to silence dissent. Reports from the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights confirm that at least eight people have died in today’s demonstrations, with over 400 more injured, including civilians, journalists, and even police officers—many of them wounded by live or rubber bullets or subjected to violent assaults, especially in Nairobi.
In a further attempt to suppress the uprising, President Ruto allegedly instructed the Communications Authority of Kenya (CAK) to block all live media coverage of the protests. This unconstitutional move sought to silence independent journalism and conceal the violence inflicted on citizens. While the High Court swiftly intervened and suspended the directive, the effort revealed a deeper agenda—to stifle free expression and shield the regime from accountability.
President Ruto’s actions reflect a refusal to govern with integrity or respect for democratic norms. The EFF reaffirms its unwavering support for the youth of Kenya, just as it did during last year’s resistance against the Finance Bill. These young people have shown tremendous courage in standing up to injustice, refusing to be intimidated or silenced by those in power.
We demand that the Ruto government immediately cease all acts of repression and censorship, ensure justice for those killed or harmed in the protests, and fully restore media freedoms. The government must face the people—not with violence, but with truth, reforms, and accountability.
