Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has called for June 25 to be recognised as a national holiday in memory of the Gen Z-led protests of 2024, which demanded accountability, better governance, and transparency in the management of public resources.
Speaking on Wednesday during a solemn commemoration event along Parliament Road, Kalonzo expressed solidarity with the youth, stating that their grief and frustration are justified and must not be ignored. He was joined by a section of opposition leaders who laid flowers at the site where, according to them, dozens of young protesters were killed during last year’s demonstrations.
“If they deny us today the possibility of going outside Parliament, in the years to come, this will be celebrated as a national holiday properly, with people able to come without having these heavily armed policemen,” Kalonzo said, referencing the tight security presence in Nairobi.
The June 25 protests in 2024 were sparked by growing discontent among Kenya’s youth over rising taxes, unemployment, and perceived government indifference. The movement, largely organised on social media platforms, mobilised thousands across the country, culminating in clashes with police that reportedly led to multiple casualties.
Kalonzo said the youth’s cry for justice must be met with empathy and not dismissal. “They were shot, killed, maimed, and a year later, nothing has changed,” he lamented. “We feel the pain with them.”
The Wiper leader further praised the nationwide silent protest this year, where many Kenyans stayed at home in a symbolic act of mourning and defiance. “It truly feels like a public holiday—there are barricades everywhere,” he observed.
He urged the government to recognise the Gen Z movement’s sacrifice and take meaningful steps toward reform. Kalonzo’s call to honour June 25 as a future holiday adds to the growing national discourse about youth-led activism and the need for institutional change.
The 2024 Gen Z protests are now seen as a turning point in Kenya’s civic engagement history, with the youth emerging as a powerful voice in shaping the country’s democratic future.
