On December 22, 2025, police from the General Service Unit fired teargas at protesters near the Nyerere Road-Mamlaka Road junction in Nairobi. The crowd headed to the State House but had to scatter.
Families of young people killed in the 2024-2025 protests against the government organized the rally. They planned it a day earlier. The group wanted to see President William Ruto. They sought justice and answers for the deaths.
The march began at Jeevanjee Gardens that morning. Anti-riot police lined the path. As protesters neared Processional Way, GSU officers blocked the road.
Police increased their numbers and used teargas when the crowd tried to push on. Demonstrators ran in all directions. Officials made some arrests. Security stayed heavy around the State House.
Families pointed out that 547 days after Rex Masai died on December 18, 2025, no officer faced charges for the deaths.
They blamed the government for slow justice and payments. This came despite the president’s order on August 8, 2025. It set rules for aid to victims of police actions since 2017.
The families planned a calm protest. They asked police to respect Article 37 of the Constitution. It protects the right to gather, protest, and ask officials for help without arms.
Rex Masai died first in the 2024 protests. Police shot him on June 20, 2024. He stands as a sign of youth anger over the Finance Bill and bad leadership.
Political views and court probe
Wiper Party head Kalonzo Musyoka tied Masai’s death to a big change by young people.
On September 7, 2025, at AIC Kasina church in Mlolongo, Kalonzo compared him to Italian teen Carlo Acutis, now a saint. “The Catholic Church just made Carlo Acutis a saint. He died at 15 from leukemia. People called him God’s Influencer. He used tech to share his faith in Jesus. Millennials know him as the Internet’s saint. He shaped faith for their time,” Kalonzo said.
He went on. “Our Kenyan youth did the same. They changed Kenya’s story. It started right here in Mlolongo with Rex Masai’s shooting. He just used his rights under the Constitution.”
The probe into Masai’s death goes on. Officer Isaiah Murangiri Ndumba says he took no part. “Those photos do not show me. I missed work on June 18, 2024, to care for my sick child. On June 20, I stayed at KICC grounds in plain clothes,” he claimed.
