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Police disrupt opposition leaders’ march in honour of Gen Z protest victims
25th June, 2026 01:45 PM
A peaceful march in honour of Gen Z protest victims turned into a tense standoff on June 25, 2026, after police officers blocked opposition leaders and grieving families in Nairobi.
The procession, which started at the Serena Hotel, was heading to the Parliament Buildings for a wreath-laying and candle-lighting ceremony.
However, anti-riot police and General Service Unit officers heavily deployed across the city centre cut the march short, drawing sharp criticism from the participants.
Tense standoff in the city centre
The leaders, including Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Narc Kenya’s Martha Karua, and DAP-K’s Eugene Wamalwa, condemned the security lockdown.
They were accompanied by former Chief Justice David Maraga and the families of those who lost their lives in past anti-government demonstrations.
Speaking during the commemoration, the leaders questioned why the State used excessive force against citizens exercising their constitutional rights.
Wiper Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka insisted that the date is an important part of Kenya’s history, promising future changes. “God willing, when we get elected next year, we shall formalise this day to be a proper public holiday,” Kalonzo stated.
Why June 25 remains a historic date
The tension in Nairobi comes exactly two years after the historic June 25, 2024 protests, when thousands of young Kenyans poured into the streets across the country to protest against the controversial Finance Bill 2024 and the rising cost of living.
The youth-led movement, popularised as the Gen Z protests, eventually saw demonstrators breach parliamentary security after lawmakers voted to pass the tax measures.
The resulting clashes between the police and the youth led to several deaths and left dozens injured. While the government eventually withdrew the controversial tax bill, families are still seeking full accountability and justice for their loved ones.
