Unsung hero: Allans Ademba, fearless student journalist who stood at the forefront of Gen Z protests
On June 25, 2024, the streets of Nairobi were alive with youthful energy, a generation rallying together to protest the Finance Bill 2024. The protests, fueled by frustration and the hope of making their voices heard, quickly turned into a violent clash with the law enforcement officers.
The images of this day would forever be etched in the minds of those who witnessed them, images of blood, tears, and brave souls standing up for what they believed in.
In the aftermath, certain figures like Kasmuel, Morara, Boniface Mwangi, and Hanifa Adan were heralded as the faces of this new wave of resistance. They were the ones who seemed to stand tall in the public eye, their names trending on social media, their speeches amplified across the airwaves. To many, they were the true heroes of the day, vocal, determined, and courageous.
Their ability to capture the attention of the masses and lead the charge against the government’s policies was undeniable.
Kasmuel, Morara, Boniface Mwangi, Hanifa Adan and others that remain unmentioned are undoubtedly heroes in their own right. They mobilised the masses, they led with courage, and their voices echoed in the halls of power.
But as the BBC Africa Eye‘s Blood Parliament documentary shed light on the hidden layers of the protests, one name stood out in a way that no one had expected: Allans Ademba, a student journalist who was more a part of the crowd than its previously perceived leaders.
Allanswas not the one who gave fiery speeches or was seen on the front pages of newspapers. He was not the one leading chants or organising mass protests.
Instead, Allans was the person who found himself in the thick of the action, not for the attention, but because he could not stand by and watch people die.
June 25
“It was just a normal day, people were livestreaming on TikTok, Instagram and TV. I thought people would go there and just shout,” Ademba stated, not knowing it would end in casualties and psychological trauma.
He found himself carrying the injured, his hands stained with blood as he feared for his life. He feared for his own life, but it didn’t stop him.
“I feared for my life, that my parents would never see me again, but I also feared letting others die when I could help,” Ademba narrated, recalling how he actively helped to carry the bodies of those who had fallen and offered aid to the injured.
“There was actual psychological trauma on me that day, because seeing what I saw in Parliament, there was blood on the ground. I would not wish that on anybody,” Ademba confessed, his voice heavy with emotion.
Adding;
“But we have a generation that, once they believe in something, will do anything for it. If you believe in something, just fight for it.”
Praises
Allans Ademba’s brave actions have earned him widespread praise from Kenyans online. Many social media users on X have expressed admiration for his heroic efforts.
Who is Allans Ademba?
Allans Ademba is a native of Kibera, Nairobi County. He recently graduated with a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Mount Kenya University (MKU).
He pursued his studies at MKU from January 2020 until September 2023.
BBC’s 37-minute exposé
‘Blood Parliament’, which was released on Monday, April 28, 2025, has reignited national anguish over the deaths of young protesters during the June 25, 2024, demonstrations against Kenya’s controversial Finance Bill 2024.
Using 3D modelling, forensic video analysis, and eyewitness accounts, the 37-minute exposé reveals how police and military forces gunned down unarmed civilians outside the National Assembly.
The documentary identifies key victims, including David Chege, Ericsson Mutisya, and Eric Shieni, who were killed by gunfire as protests escalated after the bill’s passage. Shieni’s shooter was identified as a soldier from the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), raising concerns about military involvement in civilian suppression.
