June 25 will be 'People’s Public Holiday', opposition insists
In a joint statement on Wednesday, opposition leaders said the day should serve as a memorial for protesters, mainly Gen Z, who were killed during the police crackdown on demonstrations against the Finance Bill 2024.
The opposition has reaffirmed that June 25 will be marked as a “People’s Public Holiday,” urging Kenyans to boycott work and light candles in honour of youth killed during the Occupy Parliament protests last year.
In a joint statement on Wednesday, opposition leaders said the day should serve as a memorial for protesters, mainly Gen Z, who were killed during the police crackdown on demonstrations against the Finance Bill 2024.
“Albert was neither sick nor wounded. He had, in fact, spent the day actively planting his home garden, calculating his eventual harvest,” the statement read in part.
The leaders were reacting to the recent death of 31-year-old teacher and blogger Ojwang, who died in a police cell on Sunday, June 8.
He had been arrested in Homa Bay and driven 400 kilometres to Nairobi, allegedly over a social media post about Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat.
"We reiterate our call for June 25th to be a People’s Public Holiday, a day of memorial in honour of all Kenyans who have lost their lives under this regime," the opposition said.
They cited ongoing incidents of abductions, killings, and unlawful arrests targeting young people, saying these acts justified a nationwide day of mourning.
The statement was signed by Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa, DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua, Senators Enoch Wambua and Joe Methu, Irungu Nyakera, DP chairman Justin Muturi, Kirinyaga Woman Rep Njeri Maina, and other allied leaders.
Their call directly contradicted a statement by Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura, who dismissed the planned holiday and insisted that Wednesday, June 25, would be a normal working day.
“We have heard people saying that there is a public holiday on June 25, but there is no public holiday. It is a working day if, at all, it falls on a weekday,” Mwaura said.
He said the government was not interested in reviving the Gen Z protests, calling them a thing of the past.
Kalonzo, however, maintained that they intended to peacefully mourn the victims, not to cause chaos.
Speaking during a church service in Kilifi, he called on religious leaders to join the commemoration outside Parliament.
“We ask the Church to join us on June 25 as we go to Parliament. I have this idea that Kenya should go there and light candles in front of the Parliament building and christen the place because the blood of our children was spilt there,” he said.
The protests of June 25, 2024, were led mainly by Gen Z and organised through social media under the hashtags Occupy Parliament and RejectFinanceBill2024.
Thousands stormed Parliament, damaged property, and lit fires.
Police used water cannons, teargas, rubber bullets, and, according to rights groups, live ammunition.
More than a dozen protesters were killed, dozens injured, and over a hundred arrested.
President William Ruto initially called the protests treasonous but later withdrew the bill under public pressure.
The uprising marked a turning point in Kenya’s civic space, thrusting youth into the centre of political action and opening a new chapter of public accountability.
