Opposition chiefs Rigathi Gachagua and Kalonzo Musyoka have asked Kenyans to stay away from work on Wednesday, June 25, turning the date into what they call a “symbolic public holiday” to honour young protesters shot dead during last year’s anti-tax demonstrations.
Speaking at roadside rallies in Voi on Saturday, the two leaders said the boycott is meant to memorialise the “sacrifice” of Generation Z activists who stormed Parliament on June 25 2024 while protesting the Finance Bill. Police opened fire as crowds poured through the gates, killing at least five people on the spot; later tallies by doctors’ groups put the death toll above a dozen.
“I want to declare that June 25 will be a public holiday for all Kenyans, in honour of our Gen Zs who were killed when they tried to submit a petition to Parliament,” Kalonzo told the gathering.
The Wiper party boss christened the anniversary “Gen Z Liberation Day”, vowing that the date would be observed annually until “economic justice” is achieved.
Why the Date Matters
The 2024 unrest was unlike previous street actions:
- It was largely leaderless, organised on X, TikTok and Telegram.
- Protesters demanded jobs, debt audits and the scrapping of new levies on essentials.
- Demonstrators breached Parliament’s perimeter for the first time in Kenya’s multiparty era, prompting live ammunition from security forces.
A year later, hospitals and rights lobbies are still pressing for compensation for the wounded, with one survivor last week urging President William Ruto to “honour the pledge” of medical support.
Reality Check
Only Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen can gazette an official public holiday. The opposition knows this, but has never stopped them from declaring in the past anyway.
With just under 3 weeks to go, we’ll certainly be keeping an eye on this special date.
