Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has declared June 25 as a public holiday in honour of young Kenyans, primarily from Generation Z, who led historic anti-government protests in 2024. Speaking at public rallies in Mavoko and Athi River, Kalonzo said the day would be marked annually as a celebration of a new wave of freedom birthed by the youth.
“June 25 will forever be a national holiday,” Kalonzo proclaimed, vowing that the yet-to-be-formed opposition coalition will honour those who lost their lives during the protests. The Gen Z-led demonstrations, sparked by the controversial 2024 Finance Bill proposing steep tax hikes, culminated in a storming of Parliament, property damage, and violent confrontations with police.
The protests exposed deep frustrations among Kenya’s youth over economic hardships and governance. Human rights groups, including Amnesty International, accused police of using excessive force, including live ammunition, to quell the unrest. The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights later reported that at least 60 people died and hundreds were injured during the June–July 2024 demonstrations.
On June 26, 2024, in a dramatic U-turn, President William Ruto withdrew the Finance Bill and pledged not to sign it. However, his decision came only after deploying the military and condemning the protesters as “organised criminals.” His subsequent apology to Gen Z during the National Prayer Service was dismissed by opposition leaders as insincere.
Kalonzo criticised Ruto’s apology and challenged ODM leader Raila Odinga’s decision to cooperate with the government, accusing him of abandoning the youth. “When the youth said we should take a back seat, we abandoned them,” Kalonzo said, demanding accountability from Raila.
The Gen Z protests followed earlier demonstrations by the Azimio coalition in 2023, which also called for economic and electoral reforms. Many young Kenyans felt betrayed when Raila later agreed to collaborate with Ruto’s administration.
Raila, however, defended his actions, asserting that he was approached by Ruto and that his priority remains the welfare of Kenyans.
As Kalonzo calls for unity in the opposition and the recognition of June 25 as Gen Z Revolution Day, the political landscape continues to shift, driven by a new generation’s demand for accountability and change.
