National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah has firmly stated that only the government has the legal authority to declare public holidays in Kenya, dismissing opposition efforts to symbolically mark June 25 as “Gen Z Liberation Day.” His remarks come in response to calls by opposition leaders Rigathi Gachagua and Kalonzo Musyoka for a nationwide work boycott on that day.
The two leaders, addressing supporters in Voi, Taita Taveta County, on June 7, declared June 25 a symbolic public holiday in honour of young people who lost their lives during the 2024 anti-government protests. Kalonzo urged Kenyans to stay home in solidarity, saying the day would be observed annually to remember the youth-led uprising against economic injustice and tax hikes.
“I want to declare that June 25 will be a public holiday for all Kenyans in honour of our Gen Zs who were killed while trying to submit a petition to Parliament,” Kalonzo announced.
However, Ichung’wah strongly rejected the move, warning the opposition against using youth grievances to sow division.
“For those who imagine that the unfortunate events of last June are something they can use to incite Kenyans—please look for another agenda,” Ichung’wah said. “We are a nation of many generations, and we will not allow you to weaponise one generation of young Kenyans against others.”
He insisted that only the Ministry of Interior and National Administration has the constitutional mandate to declare public holidays.
The June 25, 2024 protests, organised primarily through social media by Gen Z activists, saw demonstrators storm Parliament in opposition to the controversial Finance Bill, 2024. The protests turned deadly when security forces opened fire, leaving at least five young people dead.
Ichung’wah cautioned that politicising the deaths would dishonour the victims and further destabilise the country. “Even if one Kenyan lost their life, that is not something to play politics with,” he said.
As the anniversary approaches, tensions are rising between government and opposition factions, with both sides seeking to define the legacy of the 2024 demonstrations either as a cautionary tale or a rallying cry for reform.
