Siaya Governor James Orengo shakes hnads with Police Spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga at Jogoo House in Nairobi on June 18, 2026 after presenting a formal notification for peaceful demonstrations to the National Police Service in commemoration of victims of victims of police violence, enforced disappearances, and extrajudicial killings.
The police have given conditional approval for next week’s Gen Z demonstrations, stating that organisers are free to hold peaceful marches across the country, but warning that the authorities will not tolerate any disruption to public order.
Organizers urged people to stay home and businesses and schools to close in solidarity and in memory of those killed in the 2024 anti-tax protests. Police viewed this call with suspicion and vowed to stop any attempts to disrupt normal activities.
A senior police officer told the Nation that they are on the lookout for signs of trouble and have firm instructions to stop any unrest at the outset.
Given the history of protests being infiltrated by thugs, some of whom are alleged to operate with tacit approval from state agents in order to instigate chaos, the prospect of confrontation with the police is high.
Although the police have pledged to protect protesters during their nationwide marches, a senior figure at Vigilance House said they would not allow anything that threatens peace.
Organisers’ call for people to stay home on June 25 has not been well received by the top police command, who suspect it is a ploy.
“Why would they ask people to stay home? Are they planning to create chaos? We know that such environments are breeding grounds for thugs who take advantage of situations like this to cause mayhem,” the officer said.
“Yes, we will allow them to protest, as provided for in the law, but we will be vigilant to prevent any lawlessness,” he added.
PLP leader Martha Karua (left) lawyer Gitobu Imanyara (center), Siaya Governor James Orengo (right) and other leaders when they presented a formal notification for peaceful demonstrations to the National Police Service at Jogoo House in Nairobi on June 18, 2026.
On Tuesday, the Inspector General of Police chaired a high-level security meeting with senior police commanders at the National Police Leadership Academy in Ngong to develop region-specific measures to tackle the menace of goons in the country.
“On Thursday, June 25, 2026, at 10 am, we invite all Kenyans to join a peaceful march to the Kenyan Parliament, as mothers, fathers, siblings, relatives and friends, to demand justice and lay flowers where our children were murdered. Similar vigils and commemorations will be held in all counties,” reads part of the organisers’ petition, which has been received at the National Police Service registry.
On Thursday, parents and relatives of those killed in the June 2024 protests held a procession to the IG Douglas Kanja’s office to deliver a notification to the police for the day of remembrance.
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights says at least 50 people were killed during the anti-Finance Bill protests in June and July 2024.
On June 25, 2024, the protests culminated in a bloody raid on Parliament, forcing MPs, who had passed the controversial bill earlier that day, to flee.
In the face of growing public resentment, the government withdrew the controversial bill, which had introduced a number of new taxes. President William Ruto then dissolved the Cabinet. In an attempt to stabilise his administration, the president reconstituted the Cabinet by incorporating opposition members to form a broad-based government.
On Thursday, accompanied by former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga, senior counsels Martha Karua, James Orengo, and Gitobu Imanyara, as well as Khelef Khalifa, the director of Muslims for Human Rights, the organisers of the protests asked the police to guarantee their security when they will take to the streets to commemorate their loved ones.
Gillian Munyao, whose son Rex Masai was shot dead, demanded that the police investigate, arrest and prosecute all police officers and those with command responsibility for the killings, torture, enforced disappearances and other human rights violations, including those amounting to international crimes.
Families of victims of police brutality and human rights activists and political leaders when they presented a formal notification for peaceful demonstrations to the National Police Service at Jogoo House in Nairobi on June 18, 2026.
They are also demanding that June 25 be declared a national holiday, and that a national monument be unveiled to honour the Gen Z heroes who were killed.
Ms Munyao said they wanted “a commitment that the police will never again kill innocent Kenyans”.
They also called on the government to “put in place measures to prevent future violence by State agents”. “Our petition has been accepted,” said Chrispine Odawa, the father of Rex Masai.
Those present at the closed-door meeting with National Police Service spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga, who received their petition, told the Nation that the police had agreed to provide security for their march.
“We handed the spokesperson our petition, and he confirmed that it had been received and would be distributed to various police stations across the country, including Nairobi’s Central Police Station. They assured us that they would provide security on the day,” one of the victims’ relatives present at the meeting said.
A coalition of political leaders, rights defenders, and constitutional activists has thrown its weight behind the planned memorial protests. They urged authorities to uphold the right to peaceful assembly and prevent a repeat of the bloodshed.
Dr Mutunga, who praised Gen Z for breathing new life into the constitution, said: “What you’re doing has been done before. That resistance must continue.”
The leaders said the protests are intended to honour those killed and to reaffirm the constitutional freedoms for which the victims stood. While calling on Kenyans to stand in solidarity with the families of those killed and injured in the protests, Mr Orengo, the Siaya governor, said, “It is crucial to dedicate June 25 and 26 to remembering those who were brutally killed and injured.”
Ms Karua also echoed Mr Orengo’s call for solidarity.
“All they are asking in their petition is for notification of a public procession to be given, and for Kenyans to be asked to participate in remembrance of the fallen.”
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