Demonstrators march on the streets of Kitengela town, Kajiado County on June 25, 2025 during the first anniversary of June 25 protests.
President William Ruto on Tuesday sought to dispel what he termed propaganda surrounding the Finance Act, 2026, which he signed into law, as political, security and civic voices warned of possible tensions ahead of Thursday's Gen Z anniversary demonstrations.
The protests are expected to commemorate those killed during the anti-government demonstrations two years ago.
At the centre of the tensions is a polarised national mood in which calls for remembrance and accountability are increasingly colliding with fears of infiltration and potential breakdown of public order.
President William Ruto signs into law the Finance Bill, 2026 among other Bills at State House, Nairobi on June 23, 2026.
Dr Ruto dismissed claims that the Finance Act, 2026 introduces new taxes on mobile money transactions, second-hand clothes (mitumba), land ownership and other basic services, saying misinformation had distorted public understanding of the law.
He said the government had not proposed the taxes widely circulated during public debate.
“Contrary to propaganda, misinformation, disinformation and fake news, the government did not propose any taxes that were largely alleged,” he said.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has emerged as a prominent voice urging caution, calling on Gen Z protesters to stay off the streets and alleging that criminal gangs and hired goons have been mobilised to infiltrate demonstrations.
His remarks have added a political dimension to the planned protests, raising fears that peaceful commemorations could be hijacked to cause chaos and discredit the movement.
Speaking at his Wamunyoro home in Nyeri County on Tuesday, Mr Gachagua alleged that State officials had set aside millions to finance individuals he claimed would disrupt demonstrations in Nairobi and the Mt Kenya region.
DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua addresses journalists at the party's headquarters in Nairobi on May 25, 2026.
“We are aware that millions were withdrawn this morning from a bank in Upper Hill for mobilising goons to unleash terror in Mt Kenya and Nairobi,” he said, without providing evidence.
He further claimed senior police officers had confided that they had been instructed not to intervene as hired groups caused destruction before arresting members of the public.
“These officers have told us in confidence that they are very uncomfortable with the instructions they have been given,” he added.
However, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen vowed to deal firmly with goons and criminal gangs seeking to exploit Thursday’s protests to cause chaos and destroy property.
Mr Murkomen said families of victims of the June 25, 2024 protests would be allowed to hold peaceful processions under police escort, but noted that State House Road and Uhuru Highway would be out of bounds. He said the security apparatus was prepared to act decisively against criminal elements.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen speaks during the presentation of the KNCHR report on the Framework for Reparations for Victims of Human Rights Violations at State House, Nairobi on June 15, 2026.
“We will deal with the goons in accordance with the law. We will be ruthless in dealing with criminals seeking to infiltrate peaceful protests,” he said.
He added that “political scavengers” were seeking to use the protests for gain and to portray police negatively.
“Families of victims of the protests will be accorded proper security… Their leadership will sit down with the police to plan and facilitate their procession,” Mr Murkomen said.
He said police would exercise restraint to avoid a repeat of the 2024 protests, warning that those who defy lawful directives would be dealt with accordingly.
Normalisation of goonism
Meanwhile, the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) urged restraint and peaceful conduct, calling for justice for those killed, injured or missing. The bishops also criticised government secrecy in some dealings and rising insecurity, warning of a growing climate of mistrust and impunity.
Speaking in Nairobi under the leadership of KCCB Chairman Rev Maurice Muhatia Makumba, the bishops raised concern over school unrest, alleged resurgence of organised thugs disrupting public gatherings, and what they termed government failure to protect citizens and ensure transparency.
From left: Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops chairman Archbishop Maurice Muhatia Makumba, Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops vice-chairman Archbishop Anthony Muheria, and Nairobi Archbishop Philip Anyolo address the media in Karen, Nairobi, on June 23, 2026.
They strongly condemned the storming of a meeting at All Saints Cathedral in Nairobi by suspected goons, saying the attackers’ brazenness, including alleged disregard for police presence, raised questions about possible political protection.
“We saw this happen in a church during a service a few months ago. Such violent actions within a sanctuary amount to a blatant desecration of a sacred place of worship,” the bishops said, warning that normalisation of “goonism” posed a threat to the rule of law.
They called for swift and transparent investigations by the Inspector-General of Police to arrest and prosecute both perpetrators and alleged sponsors, urging an end to what they termed the weaponisation of violence against lawful public gatherings.
The bishops also expressed concern over a reported Kenya–US agreement to establish a quarantine facility at Laikipia Air Base, saying it was concluded without adequate public participation or parliamentary oversight and could pose health risks.
“This initiative has been imposed on Kenyans without adequate public consultation. There is an inherent threat to the lives of Kenyan citizens,” they said, calling for transparency and national dialogue on strategic agreements.
They further questioned government transparency in broader national deals, including resource exploitation agreements, insisting on full disclosure of matters affecting national assets.
Separately, the Inter-Religious Council of Kenya (IRCK) called for national reflection and peace ahead of the commemoration, urging truth, accountability and healing.
The Linda Mwananchi political faction postponed rallies in Kisii and Keroka to allow supporters to join peaceful demonstrations marking the anniversary of the June 25, 2024 Gen Z protests.
Siaya Governor James Orengo speaks to journalists at Kisumu International Airport on June 21, 2026.
Led by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, the faction said the decision was in solidarity with citizens commemorating last year’s protests, which left dozens dead and hundreds injured during nationwide anti-Finance Bill demonstrations. It urged supporters to participate peacefully.
“Our supporters will join fellow Kenyans in commemorating June 25. We believe it is important to stand in solidarity as citizens remember those who lost their lives and continue to push for a better country,” Mr Sifuna said in Nairobi on Tuesday.
In Mombasa, authorities cautioned against “illegal” street protests ahead of the June 25 nationwide demonstrations linked to the Gen Z movement. County Commissioner Mohamed Noor said no formal notification had been received by Tuesday, even as preparations continued nationwide to mark the anniversary of the 2024 Finance Bill protests.
He said demonstrations had not been banned but organisers must comply with the law by giving advance notice to security agencies. Human rights activists maintained they had complied with legal requirements.
“We have not received any notice from those intending to participate. The law requires a three-day notice before the event, and today is June 23. As of now, we have not been informed whether there will be demonstrations in Mombasa County,” he said.
In Kajiado, police warned protesters against blocking the Namanga Highway during the planned demonstrations.
During a high-level security meeting chaired by County Commissioner Michael Yator and attended by all six sub-county security commanders, officials outlined measures aimed at maintaining law and order in major towns, including Ngong, Kiserian, Ong’ata Rongai, Kitengela and Kajiado, should the protests proceed.
They noted that during previous demonstrations, the Namanga Highway had been a primary target for protesters, with bonfires lit and transport paralysed along the key international route.
The disruptions have often had a ripple effect on operations at the Namanga One Stop Border Post, with transit trucks forced to park at the border and transporters of perishable goods incurring significant losses. Kajiado County Police Commander Alex Shikondi told the Nation that both plainclothes and uniformed officers had been strategically deployed across major towns in the county.
“Peaceful picketing is allowed, but we will not permit anyone to block the Namanga Highway whatsoever. That has been the trend during previous protests and amounts to economic sabotage,” said Mr Shikondi.
The Namanga Highway, classified as A104 by the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), is among international trunk roads forming part of the Trans-African Highway network. It serves as a critical link between centres of international importance, crossing borders and connecting major ports and trade corridors.
Isinya Sub-County Police Commander Simon Lokitari said security agencies were on high alert to prevent any unrest in the rapidly growing town, which has recently emerged as a hotspot for protests.
Reporting by Vitalis Kimutai, Gitonga Marete, Mercy Mwende, Kevin Cheruyoit, Anthony Kitimo and Joseph Mugo and Stanley Ngotho
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