Two Friends Bleed on Opposing Sides of 2025 Protests
As tear gas lingered over Nairobi’s CBD and live rounds echoed through the streets two young men once childhood friends found themselves on opposite ends of a nation in turmoil. One wore a police uniform. The other clutched a placard. Mutually bled.
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This is the haunting human face of Kenya’s intensifying Gen Z-led protests where brotherhood is shattered by politics and bloodshed replaces dialogue.
The Background: What’s Fueling the Rage?
Nationwide anti-government demonstrations in Kenya have surged since late June 2025, sparked by controversial tax hikes increasing youth unemployment and perceptions of authoritarian overreach in President Ruto’s administration.
- Main triggers include:
- The now-infamous Finance Act 2025 which introduced sweeping levies on vital goods.
- Alleged corruption in youth employment programs.
- Escalating use of live ammunition and excessive force by police through peaceful protests.
These flashpoints have ignited massive youth protests in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu and Eldoret, marking Kenya’s most volatile civil unrest in over a decade.
Also Read: Kenyan Minister William Kabogo Vows Strong Support for Young Digital Media Talent
The Friendship That Ended in Bloodshed
Michael Ochieng and Daniel Kiptoo, both 24, met in high school in Nakuru. They once shared dreams of building a future in tech together.
But in July 2025, fate diverged:
- Michael, fueled by disillusionment and joblessness, became a passionate voice in the Gen Z resistance movement. He marched in the frontlines in Nairobi through other demonstrators chanting “No Taxation Without Representation.”
- Daniel, a recent recruit into the Kenya Police Service, was deployed to the same protest in strict orders to disperse “unlawful gatherings.”
The clash came without warning.
According to witnesses near Kenyatta Avenue, Michael was hit by a rubber bullet in the leg. Daniel, struck by a stone hurled during the skirmish fell to the ground bleeding from a head wound.
“They looked at each other, and for a moment everything stopped,” says Janet Atieno, a bystander. “You could see the pain not just from injury however from the realization of what they had become.”
Symbol of a Nation Divided
Their injuries now widely circulated in a viral video have come to symbolize the emotional toll of Kenya’s unrest:
- “Wounded protesters in Kenya” and “Kenyan friends divided by protest” have trended across platforms like TikTok and X (formerly Twitter).
- The video has amassed over 3.7 million views sparking online debates about the trauma of civil conflict and calls for reconciliation.
This is no longer just about policy. It’s about identity, belonging and survival.
Protests by the Numbers: The High Human Cost
According to Human Rights Watch and Kenya Red Cross:
- At least 38 people have died since protests began.
- Over 600 have been injured numerous by live bullets or tear gas canisters.
- 17 police officers have reported injuries during violent clashes.
Mombasa, Kisumu and parts of Nairobi have seen the most intense violence through youth demonstrators clashing through heavily armed police in urban battlegrounds.
The Broader Political Context
President Ruto’s administration insists the tax reforms are necessary to stabilize the economy, citing debt repayment obligations and IMF-backed austerity. However critics argue:
- The policies disproportionately affect low-income Kenyans.
- Government engagement through youth has been superficial.
- The increasing militarization of public policing undermines trust.
“Civic resistance in Kenya is not just a Gen Z tantrum,” says political analyst Wanja Mwangi. “It’s a reckoning.”
What Drives Youth to Protest or Enforce?
Michael’s reason:
“We are dying in silence. The government speaks of development, however we cannot even afford unga. Protesting is the only language left.”
Daniel’s dilemma:
“I joined the police to serve. However now, I am being ordered to face my own friends. It’s breaking me.”
Communities Torn Apart
In areas like Mathare, Kibra, and Kisumu Town, the ripple effects are visible:
- Families split over loyalties to government vs protestors.
- Businesses shuttered due to fear of looting or police raids.
- Social media flooded through heartbreaking protest stories numerous involving young lives caught in the crossfire.
Medical & Psychological Aftermath
Both Michael and Daniel are recovering at different hospitals in Nairobi. Medical staff note that aside from physical injuries, both suffer signs of trauma and emotional breakdown.
“Friendship turned tragedy,” one nurse said. “Their bond was collateral damage in a war that doesnot need to be fought like this.”
A Way Forward?
Through peace talks failing and youth leaders rejecting token reforms many ask:
- Can Kenya reconcile before more friendships and lives are lost?
- Will the government launch an independent inquiry into police brutality and protest casualties?
- Can a national healing process bridge these divisions?
Call to Action
What side would you stand on if your friend stood on the other?