The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) urged its supporters to ignore calls for people to take to the streets next Thursday for the June 25 memorial protests.
ODM leaders held grassroots mobilisation drives in Homa Bay and Kwale counties. They said the party firmly supports the broad-based government and wants efforts to compensate victims of earlier protests to continue, rather than people staging new demonstrations.
Led by ODM Chairperson Gladys Wanga, the leaders criticised those behind the planned protests. They said ODM will not take part because it remains committed to the broad-based government.
“We have seen those who say that even if the Finance Bill is good, they will still demonstrate. Huku kwetu tumesema hatutaenda maandamano tena. We have gone to the streets for too many years. Wacha wengine pia wafanye,” Wanga said.
The ODM leaders said the protest organisers have not explained why Kenyans should take to the streets again.
National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed said, “Sasa tunaona ni wazee wale waliandamana 1970s ndio wanapanga maandamano, siyo Gen Z tena.”
Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, who attended the Asumbi Meet the People rally, said the Finance Bill that Parliament passed on Thursday followed the right process. He also questioned the basis for the planned protests.
“As long as I am the CS Treasury, I will never bring a Finance Bill that is oppressive,” Mbadi said.
Energy CS Opiyo Wandayi added, “Tumefaidika. Hatutaki kuona watu wetu wanaingia kwa maandamano, na iwafikie watu wetu wote wanaishi Kisumu, Migori mpaka Nakuru na hata Mombasa.”
Meanwhile, Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat said the police have put adequate security measures in place ahead of the June 25 commemorative demonstrations honouring victims of the 2024 and 2025 anti-government protests.
Lagat warned that police will protect the right to peaceful assembly. He added that they will respond firmly to any violence, vandalism, or actions that disrupt public order.
He also cautioned criminal gangs against exploiting the planned demonstrations, saying security agencies have stepped up operations across the country to flush them out.
Lagat made the remarks in Mombasa during the launch of an empowerment programme for 25 youth from low-income households.
He assured the public that security agencies remain vigilant and ready to maintain law and order throughout the commemorations.
