Wednesday, 25 June 2025

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) condemns, in the strongest terms, the brutal repression of peaceful protesters, the censorship of independent media, and the escalating authoritarianism of the regime led by President William Ruto in Kenya.

Today, June 25 2025, the people of Kenya, led by courageous and conscious youth returned to the streets in nationwide protests to mark the one-year anniversary of the deadly June 25, 2024 demonstrations, where over 60 people were killed while opposing the IMF-backed Finance Bill. That bill, now scrapped due to mass resistance, sought to burden the poor while protecting elites, exposing a regime committed to profit over people.

What began as a rejection of economic injustice has now grown into a widespread demand for an end to state corruption, police brutality, and impunity at the highest levels of government. It is a movement led by the youth and in response, President Ruto has unleashed state-sponsored violence and censorship. According to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, at least eight people have been killed in today’s protests alone. More than 400 others have been injured, including protesters, journalists, and even police, many hit by live bullets, rubber bullets, or savagely beaten mainly in Nairobi, the nation’s capital.

In a further act of desperation, President Ruto directed the Communications Authority of Kenya (CAK) to ban all live broadcasts of the protests, citing a deliberate misreading of the Constitution which, in fact, protects freedom of expression and media independence. This act of media censorship was immediately challenged and suspended by the High Court, but it revealed the government’s true intent: to control the narrative, hide its crimes, and rule by fear.

President Ruto has shown that he is unwilling to lead with dignity. The EFF, therefore, once again declares its full solidarity with the youth of Kenya as we did last year in their fight against austerity through the Finance Bill. This is a generation that refuses to bow, refuses to be silenced, and refuses to accept a future stolen by corrupt elites.

We call on President Ruto to end all acts of state violence and censorship; hold those responsible for these killings and those of last year’s protests accountable; restore full media freedom; and face the people with answers and immediate reforms, not force.

The world is watching, and Africa is watching.

ISSUED BY ECONOMIC FREEDOM FIGHTERS

Sinawo Thambo (National Spokesperson) 072 629 7422

Thembi Msane (National Spokesperson) 061 467 8169

Andiswa Madikazi (Parliament Media Liason) 069 516 4924

Thato Lebyane (Media Inquiries) 078 563 1581