Former Chief Justice David Maraga made a surprise appearance in the streets of Nairobi on June 25, 2025, joining thousands of Gen Z protesters demanding justice for victims of police brutality during last year’s demonstrations. Maraga, flanked by his security team and accompanied by former MP Augustine Neto, was spotted at the Nation Centre along Kimathi Street, where the protests had gathered momentum early in the day.
This marks Maraga’s first public participation in a street protest and comes just a day after he declared his intention to run for president in 2027. In a candid interview on the Iko Nini Podcast aired on June 24, Maraga voiced strong support for the Gen Z-led movement, calling it a moral and national duty to stand with families who lost loved ones in the 2024 demonstrations.
“This is the Gen Z protest. Yes, we are joining them in solidarity because we feel for them. We feel for the parents who lost their children, and for the Gen Zs who were injured,” Maraga said. “We are just coming out in solidarity with them and expressing our views that this should not be allowed to happen again in this country.”
He questioned the lack of accountability over the casualties of last year’s protests and emphasized the constitutional right of affected families to grieve and seek justice.
Thousands of demonstrators overwhelmed Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD) despite heavy police presence and road barricades. Protesters chanting slogans and holding placards marched along Moi Avenue and camped near key sites, including Central Police Station and Kimathi Street.
Police responded with tear gas in several locations, including University Way and outside the Stanley Hotel, triggering running battles and scattering demonstrators. Still, crowds remained defiant, demanding action against police brutality and systemic injustice.
The presence of a high-profile figure like Maraga has amplified the voices of the Gen Z protesters and added significant political weight to their cause. As tensions continue to rise, the country watches closely to see whether this movement will trigger broader reforms or further deepen the standoff between citizens and the state.
