Kaluma backs Atwoli’s call for end of Gen Zs’ demos
By Mabonga Makhanu, July 19, 2025Homa Bay Town Member of Parliament (MP) Peter Kaluma, who has in recent weeks been vocal against the ongoing Gen Z-led protests, has now thrown his support behind COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli’s call for an end to the demonstrations.
Taking to his official social media platform on Saturday, July 19, 2025, Kaluma expressed concern that the ongoing unrest is sending the wrong signals to potential investors. According to him, the persistent street protests, destruction of property, and disruption of business operations portray a country in constant turmoil, which could drive away both local and international investment.
He argued that no serious investor would be willing to commit resources in a city where demonstrations routinely escalate into looting and violence. The MP further expressed worry that the culture of constant political agitation from one election to another leaves little room for development and productivity.
“Who in his right mind will invest in a city where people riot, loot, and destroy businesses in the name of demonstrations for whole days whenever and wherever they feel like? Who, in a city whose people engage in political campaigns from election to election without time for work?” Kaluma said.
Atwoli’s earlier call
Speaking during the official opening of the ITUC-Africa Regional Conference on Peace and Security on Friday, July 18, 2025, Francis Atwoli urged Kenyan Gen Zs to “forget about demonstrations” and stay home, arguing that protests are scaring away investors and harming the economy.
Speaking amid youth-led protests, he claimed that the unrest was deterring investment, echoing sentiments from earlier statements where he linked demonstrations to economic losses and instability.
For example, he previously noted that protests could drive investor money to neighbouring countries like Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Uganda.
He also raised alarm over growing political instability in Africa, warning that trade unions must not stand by as peace and security deteriorate across the continent.
Atwoli emphasised that workers, women and children are the biggest victims whenever conflict and unrest break out.
“As COTU (K), we cannot afford to be bystanders and allow for political instability to creep in and destroy the peace that many depend on for economic and social reasons,” he said.