As Kenya marks the second anniversary of the historic June 25, 2024 Gen Z protests, Wiper Party leader and former Vice President Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka has issued one of his strongest political statements yet, accusing the government of failing to deliver justice for victims of the demonstrations while calling for June 25 to be formally recognized as a national day of remembrance.
In a lengthy statement released on June 24, Kalonzo described the protests as a defining moment in Kenya’s democratic history, arguing that the youth-led movement fundamentally altered the country’s political trajectory and exposed deep frustrations over governance, corruption, and economic hardship.
“Two years ago, young Kenyans from every corner of this Republic poured into our streets and said, with one voice: Enough,” Kalonzo said. “The courage displayed by Kenya’s young people has already altered the course of our national conversation and strengthened the resolve of millions to demand a more just and accountable Republic.”
A Protest That Changed Kenya’s Political Landscape
Kalonzo’s remarks come against the backdrop of one of the most significant political uprisings in modern Kenyan history.
The June 2024 protests were sparked by public opposition to the Finance Bill 2024, which proposed a raft of new taxes amid an already difficult economic climate characterized by rising food prices, high fuel costs, growing public debt, and increasing unemployment, particularly among young people.
Unlike previous political demonstrations largely organized by opposition parties, the Gen Z protests emerged organically through social media platforms such as X, TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook. The movement drew thousands of young Kenyans who organized themselves without traditional political structures, transforming online activism into nationwide street demonstrations.
The protests culminated on June 25, 2024, when demonstrators stormed Parliament Buildings in Nairobi after lawmakers passed the controversial Finance Bill. The unprecedented scenes attracted international attention and marked a turning point in Kenya’s democratic discourse.
Although President William Ruto eventually declined to sign the bill into law following public pressure, the demonstrations left behind a painful legacy, including deaths, injuries, arrests, allegations of enforced disappearances, and ongoing demands for accountability.
Kalonzo Links Opposition Struggle to Gen Z Movement
In his statement, Kalonzo sought to connect the Gen Z uprising with earlier opposition-led protests against the Finance Bill 2023 and the high cost of living.
He noted that opposition leaders, including former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Martha Karua, Eugene Wamalwa, and himself, had previously mobilized Kenyans against what they viewed as punitive taxation measures.
However, he acknowledged that the youth movement achieved what established political leaders had struggled to accomplish.
“They achieved even more than we were able to do,” he said, arguing that young Kenyans understood the implications of the Finance Bill and mobilized around issues of economic justice and governance.
The former Vice President characterized the movement as a “Kenyan Spring,” drawing parallels with citizen-led uprisings that have challenged political establishments in different parts of the world.
Demand for Accountability
A significant portion of Kalonzo’s statement focused on the unresolved questions surrounding deaths, disappearances, arrests, and alleged human rights violations linked to the protests.
He accused security agencies of responding disproportionately to peaceful demonstrations and called for accountability at all levels of government.
“The names of our fallen, abducted, kidnapped, and wrongly charged must not become mere footnotes in our history, but the very foundation upon which a better Kenya is built,” he stated.
Kalonzo further demanded investigations into all reported cases of police brutality, enforced disappearances, torture, and unlawful arrests associated with the protests.
His remarks reflect concerns that have continued to be raised by human rights organizations, civil society groups, religious leaders, and affected families seeking answers regarding the fate of missing persons and justice for victims.
Rex Masai Case Returns to the Spotlight
The former Vice President singled out the case of Rex Masai, one of the most recognizable victims of the protests, as evidence of what he termed systemic failures in the pursuit of justice.
Kalonzo referenced admissions reportedly made before the courts by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), including shortcomings in the collection and preservation of evidence.
According to Kalonzo, investigative gaps risk undermining efforts to hold those responsible accountable and may ultimately weaken the prosecution’s case.
The renewed focus on the Rex Masai case underscores the broader national debate about police accountability and the effectiveness of institutions tasked with investigating abuses by security agencies.
Parliament Under Fire
Kalonzo also directed sharp criticism at Parliament over its recent passage of the Finance Bill 2026/2027, arguing that legislators had failed to learn from the lessons of 2024.
He expressed concern that Parliament approved the bill barely a week before the anniversary of the protests, suggesting the move demonstrated insensitivity to the sacrifices made by young Kenyans.
The Wiper leader praised a group of lawmakers who opposed the legislation while criticizing those who either supported it or failed to participate in the vote.
His comments are likely to reignite political debate around the role of Parliament in representing public interests, especially during periods of heightened economic pressure.
Call for “Liberation Day”
Perhaps the most symbolic proposal in Kalonzo’s statement is his call for June 25 to be officially designated as “Liberation Day.”
He argued that the date should become a national public holiday dedicated to remembrance, reflection, accountability, and recognition of the sacrifices made by young Kenyans in defense of democracy.
“I reaffirm a position I have consistently championed: that June 25th be formally recognized as a national public holiday; LIBERATION DAY,” he declared.
The proposal mirrors similar commemorative days observed in other countries to honor major democratic struggles and social justice movements.
Whether the idea gains traction remains to be seen, but it highlights the growing recognition of the Gen Z protests as a watershed moment in Kenya’s political history.
Appeal for Peace Ahead of Anniversary Demonstrations
Amid expectations of renewed demonstrations and commemorative events, Kalonzo called on police and security agencies to exercise restraint.
He urged authorities to respect constitutional rights to peaceful assembly, picketing, and demonstration, warning against the use of excessive force, live ammunition, or interference by criminal elements.
“This call for restraint is not made lightly. It is born of the painful lessons of June 2024 and the solemn obligation to ensure that such tragedies are never repeated,” he said.
The statement echoes similar appeals made by religious leaders, civil society organizations, and human rights defenders who have called for peaceful observance of the anniversary.
A Nation Still Grappling with the Legacy of June 25
Two years after the demonstrations shook the nation, the events of June 25 remain deeply embedded in Kenya’s collective memory.
For supporters, the Gen Z movement represented a new era of citizen activism that transcended ethnic, regional, and political divisions. For critics, it exposed the fragility of state institutions in managing public dissent.
What remains undisputed is that the protests fundamentally changed Kenya’s political conversation.
They elevated youth voices to the center of national discourse, challenged traditional political mobilization structures, and forced government institutions to confront growing demands for accountability, transparency, and inclusive governance.
As Kenyans reflect on the anniversary, Kalonzo’s statement serves as both a tribute to the young people who took to the streets and a reminder that many of the questions raised in 2024—about justice, governance, economic opportunity, and state accountability—remain unresolved.
And as the country prepares to commemorate the day, the enduring challenge for Kenya’s leaders will be whether they can transform the sacrifices of June 25 into meaningful reforms that address the aspirations of a generation determined to shape the nation’s future.
About the Author
