MP Ichung’wah: Declaring holidays is State's role, not opposition’s

National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah has accused opposition leaders of attempting to exploit the proposed June 25 public holiday to stir unrest among the youth and undermine the government.

The Kikuyu MP cautioned the opposition against using young people as tools to deepen divisions within the country, particularly across generational lines, under President William Ruto’s administration.

“For anyone thinking they can use the tragic events of last June to provoke Kenyans find another cause,” Ichung’wah said on June 7, 2025.

“Even one life lost is too many, and it should never be politicized. Kenyans reject division whether ethnic or generational and will not allow it to be imposed on our youth.”

He further stressed that the authority to declare public holidays rests solely with the government.

“No one other than the Government of Kenya, through the Ministry of Interior and National Administration, has the power to declare a public holiday,” Ichung’wah affirmed.

“We are a nation made up of many generations, and we will not let anyone use one generation of young Kenyans to pit them against others,” Ichung’wah stated.

His comments came as a response to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, who have urged Kenyans to observe a work boycott on June 25.

On June 7, 2025, the two leaders declared the day a symbolic public holiday to honor Generation Z protesters who lost their lives during last year’s anti-government demonstrations.

They called on citizens to stay home on June 25 to remember the young people who died during the June 25, 2024 protests, when demonstrators stormed Parliament in opposition to the contentious Finance Bill 2024.

The chaos was met with security forces opening fire, leading to at least five fatalities.

Speaking at rallies in Voi, Taita Taveta County, on June 7, Kalonzo urged the nation to unite in solidarity by refraining from work.

“I declare June 25 as a public holiday for all Kenyans to honor our Gen Z youth who lost their lives while delivering a petition to Parliament,” he said.

He added that going forward, the day would be commemorated as “Gen Z Liberation Day” in recognition of the youth-led protests against the government’s economic policies and tax increases.

“June 25 will be a liberation day to honor the sacrifice of our Gen Z youth who fought to free this country,” he added.