Leaders Gather in Nairobi to Honor Protest Victims Ahead of June 25 Anniversary
NAIROBI — Former Chief Justice David Maraga, Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, and Democratic Action Party of Kenya leader Eugene Wamalwa joined faith leaders and mourners on Sunday at a memorial service for young Kenyans killed during last year’s anti-Finance Bill demonstrations.
The interdenominational service, held at All Saints’ Cathedral in Nairobi, began at 3:00 p.m. and was organized by faith-based groups under the banner Lest We Forget June 25. The National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK), Evangelical Alliance of Kenya (EAK), and Kenya Christian Professionals Forum (KCPF) led the arrangements.
Organizers said the event aimed to honor the lives lost during the 2024 protests and serve as a national moment of reflection and healing.
“This is about justice. This is about the soul of our nation,” said one organizer during the opening prayer. “We remember, and we demand accountability.”
Remembering a tragedy
The June 2024 protests erupted over the controversial 2024/25 Finance Bill. Police opened fire on demonstrators who had stormed Parliament. Human rights groups reported multiple deaths and injuries that day. Most victims were under 30.
As the country prepares to mark the first anniversary of the protests this Tuesday, the cathedral filled with sobs, hymns, and speeches demanding truth and justice. Scripture readings and silent tributes punctuated the emotional service.
A large banner bearing the names and faces of those who died stood at the altar. Mourners lit candles and placed flowers beneath it.
Renewed calls for justice accountability
The memorial comes in the wake of another controversial death. Blogger and teacher Albert Ojwang died recently in police custody. His passing has reignited national anger and amplified demands for police oversight.
Speaking at the memorial, Kalonzo Musyoka called for unity and nonviolence, but stressed that the time for silence had passed. “These lives mattered. We cannot build a future on bloodshed and unanswered questions,” he said.
Eugene Wamalwa echoed the demand for independent investigations into all protest-related deaths. “The state must be held to account. No Kenyan should die for expressing dissent,” he said.
Police Respond to Protest Plans
Nairobi Regional Police Commander George Seda confirmed that authorities have received official notification about demonstrations planned for June 25.
“For the 25th, we have what we call enhanced plans for that,” Seda said. “The letter was delivered to the Central Police Station and we are fully aware of their intents.”
He assured the public that police will maintain order and protect peaceful demonstrators. No details were given about specific deployments or tactics.
National moment approaches
The memorial was not just a commemoration. It was a warning against forgetting and a plea for responsible leadership.
As one youth representative told the congregation, “If we forget, we invite it to happen again.”
With another round of protests just days away, the tension between public demands for justice and state security remains at the center of national attention.
The June 25 protests are expected to draw crowds across Kenya. Organizers have pledged to keep the marches peaceful. But with memories of last year’s violence still raw, citizens and leaders alike face a critical test.
