
Five Gen Z protesters released after 102 days in detention in Nairobi
Five young Kenyans, identified as Leila, Yasmin, Khadija, Hanifa, and Tony, have been released from custody after 102 days in remand following their arrest during the June 2025 Gen-Z demonstrations in Nairobi. Kirinyaga woman representative Njeri Maina announced on Wednesday, September 2, that Makadara court file E3392 of 2025 had been closed. The protesters were unable to afford the KSh 300,000 cash bail or the KSh 500,000 bond. Their release was secured after a cash-bail kitty and the Independent Medico-Legal Unit IMLU pooled resources to cover the required amount. Maina credited the legal team, led by advocates Muge and Benard Mderitu, for securing their freedom. In July 2025, Maina had disclosed that seven Gen-Z detainees linked to the same protest wave were held at Lang'ata Women's Prison and Industrial Area Remand Prison, and she had applied for a review of the bail terms. The June 2025 demonstrations, which marked the first anniversary of the 2024 anti-government protests, saw thousands of young Kenyans protest across multiple counties. The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights KNCHR reported at least eight fatalities from gunshot wounds and over 400 casualties, including demonstrators, police officers, and journalists. At least 61 individuals were detained nationwide, with the majority in Nairobi County.



