Kenya experienced a significant surge in protest activity during the first half of 2026, with 453 demonstrations recorded—a 29% increase compared to the same period in 2025. This trend is documented in the latest Kenya Freedom Index compiled by Odipo Dev and Amnesty International Kenya.
The report highlights that economic hardships, particularly escalating fuel prices, have become the main catalysts for the rise in demonstrations. Other persistent issues include concerns over food, housing, and education.
Economic Struggles Fuel Protests
In 2025, protests largely centered around labor disputes, wages, and poor working conditions. However, by mid-2026, the focus shifted to general economic pressures, with fuel price hikes sparking widespread public discontent.
The national government remained the primary target of protests, with 183 events directed at it in the first six months of 2026—nearly matching the total for all of 2025. Community groups, residents, and students have been prominent participants, frequently organizing peaceful marches. Nonetheless, the report notes an uptick in disruptive actions like road blockages, signaling growing frustration with official responses.
Concerns Over Police Conduct
The increase in protests has coincided with ongoing scrutiny of police tactics. Between 2020 and 2025, the Kenya Freedom Index recorded 138 protest-related deaths, over 1,200 injuries, and more than 2,000 arrests. The deadliest period was June and July 2025, with multiple fatalities and hundreds injured during protests.
In 2026, police dispersals and arrests remain high, with figures by June reaching over 70% of the previous year's totals. Tear gas and live ammunition were the most commonly reported means of crowd control, raising concerns about the proportionality and lawfulness of force used.
Calls for Respecting Rights and Addressing Grievances
Amnesty International Kenya’s Executive Director, George Morara, stressed the importance of protecting the right to peaceful assembly as enshrined in Kenya’s Constitution and international law. Odipo Dev’s Co-Founder, Odanga Madung, urged the government to avoid repression and instead engage meaningfully with citizens’ economic and social concerns.
The report urges thorough investigations into incidents of deaths, injuries, arbitrary arrests, and alleged abuses related to protests. It also calls on President William Ruto’s administration to implement transparent and inclusive approaches to tackle the underlying economic challenges driving the unrest.
As Kenya moves into the latter half of 2026, the trajectory of this growing protest movement will be critical in shaping the country’s political and social landscape.
