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Gen Z protests: Families of Daniel Chege and Kalami Mwema still searching for missing kin 2 years on
31st August, 2026 03:27 PM
Two years after the 2024 Gen Z protests, families of young people who disappeared during the demonstrations are still searching for their loved ones, with some calling on the government to produce them, dead or alive.
The families on Monday, August 31, 2026, used the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances to renew calls for answers over the whereabouts of their relatives, who went missing during the Gen Z protests against the Finance Bill 2024.
Daniel Chege disappeared after joining protests
Daniel Chege was among thousands of young Kenyans who took to the streets in June 2024 to protest against the Finance Bill.
According to his family, he left home to join the demonstrations on June 25, 2024, but never returned.
“Dennis alipotea tarehe 25 mwezi wa sita 2024 sinnce then sijawai mpata,” Daniel’s mother said, describing the pain of not knowing what happened to her son.
For the family, the search has continued for years without a clear answer on his whereabouts.
“Ni miaka miwili na nusu sasa, it is a long journey,” she added.
The family is now appealing to the government to provide information on Daniel’s whereabouts and give them closure.
Kalami Mwema abducted in Mlolongo
The family of Kalami Mwema is also continuing to search for answers after he disappeared in Mlolongo during the period of the protests.
His sister said Kalami was abducted by people whose identities remain unknown.
The family reported the disappearance at Mlolongo Police Station and was issued with an Occurrence Book (OB) number.
“Kalami mwema alikuwa abducted at Mlolongo na watu ambao hawajulikani, tulienda police station Mlolongo tukapiga repoti tukapatiwa OB number na tukaambiwa watasaidia vile wataweza,” Kalami sister said.
Despite making the report, the family says it is still waiting for answers on what happened to Kalami and where he could be.
Demand for justice
For families of those who disappeared during the 2024 protests, the uncertainty has become another source of pain.
They want the authorities to investigate the disappearances and establish what happened to their loved ones.
Human rights defender Hussein Khalid, the Executive Director of Vocal Africa, has also called for accountability for people accused of abducting protesters and those involved in shootings during demonstrations.
“Those officers seen abducting people and those seen pulling trigers must be brought to book, and we also want the law on enforced disappearance enacted in Kenya,” Hussein Khalid said.
Calls for answers
The International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances is observed annually to draw attention to people who have disappeared and the anguish faced by their families.
For families such as those of Daniel Chege and Kalami Mwema, the issue remains deeply personal.
Years after their loved ones disappeared, they continue to seek information about what happened to them.
Their message to the government remains the same: produce their loved ones, dead or alive, and give the families answers.
