NAIROBI, Kenya — What was intended to be a solemn procession of “flowers and flags” ended in chaos on Monday as General Service Unit (GSU) officers used teargas to disperse grieving families at the Nyerere Road-Mamlaka Road junction.
The marchers, parents and siblings of youth killed during the 2024–2025 anti-government protests, were attempting to reach State House to seek a direct audience with President William Ruto.
The families are demanding accountability and the fulfillment of a compensation framework that remains stalled despite a presidential proclamation issued on August 8, 2025.
A stalled quest for justice
The timing of the march is poignant, occurring exactly 547 days after the death of Rex Masai, the first victim of the 2024 Finance Bill protests.
Despite multiple inquests and public outcry, the families noted that not a single police officer has been successfully prosecuted for the fatalities that occurred over the last 18 months.
The procession began peacefully at Jeevanjee Gardens at 9:00 AM, with attendees carrying national flags and white flowers to symbolize their non-violent intent. However, as the group neared Procession Way, they were met by a heavy security cordon.
The subsequent deployment of teargas forced the elderly parents and young siblings to flee, effectively ending their hope for a face-to-face meeting with the President before the festive season.
The failure of reparations
Protesters expressed deep frustration over the “August 8 Framework,” a 120-day plan led by Prof. Makau Mutua to compensate victims of police violence dating back to 2017.
While the government recently announced progress, families argue that the disbursement of funds has been marred by delays and a lack of transparency.
Prior to the march, the families had sent a formal notice to the Nairobi Regional Police Commander, with a copy to the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA). They requested protection under Article 37 of the Constitution and stated their intention for a peaceful assembly with only flowers and the national flag.
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They emphasized that their gathering was a plea for justice, not a protest, and expressed trust that the police would not interfere with grieving families.
According to reports from Amnesty International Kenya and IPOA, at least 65 fatalities were documented during the 2024 and 2025 protests.
The dispersal of the families serves as a stark reminder of the “Christmas without laughter” many are experiencing.
While State House has not commented on a potential meeting with the victims’ relatives, the incident at the Nyerere Road junction underscores a disconnect between government promises of accountability and the reality faced by the affected families.
