The government has come out firmly against any planned street protests on June 25, despite growing online momentum by Gen Z youth who want to honour those killed during last year’s anti-government demonstrations.
Speaking during a morning show on Radio 47, Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura said that protests will not be allowed on that day. He insisted that June 25 will be treated as a normal working day and advised anyone wishing to commemorate it to do so quietly at home.
“There will be no demonstrations on June 25. That day will go on as normal. If you want to remember the fallen, kindly do it from the comfort of your home,” Mwaura said.
He also condemned what he described as a troubling pattern—where criminals exploit peaceful protests to cause chaos and destruction. Mwaura reminded Kenyans that the role of the police is to protect all citizens equally, regardless of political leanings, and urged the public not to provoke officers.
This comes as social media continues to buzz with hashtags rallying the youth to show up in large numbers on June 25 to remember the lives lost. Some online posts have even suggested marching toward sensitive government buildings like Parliament and State House—something that has alarmed security agencies closely monitoring the situation.
Interestingly, the National Police Service (NPS) appears to be taking a more balanced tone. Unlike in past demonstrations, the police have signaled they will allow commemorative protests to take place—so long as they remain peaceful and follow the law.
Nairobi Regional Police Commander George Seda recently reassured the public that law-abiding demonstrators would be protected from criminals attempting to infiltrate the events. He referred to last week’s protests, which turned violent after gangs took advantage of the crowd to loot and vandalize property.
On his part, NPS Spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga issued a firm warning to officers nationwide, cautioning them against misusing their firearms. Speaking on Radio Citizen, Nyaga said those who act recklessly would face serious legal action. He specifically referenced the shooting of hawker Boniface Kariuki during last week’s protests, saying the two officers involved would be prosecuted.
“Our officers are trained to know when and how to use guns, and there are clear legal limits. What happened in some cases clearly went against the law,” Muchiri explained.
According to Kenya’s Constitution (Article 37), every citizen has the right to peacefully assemble, protest, and petition the government—as long as they are unarmed. The Public Order Act also states that organisers must notify the police between 3 to 14 days before a protest. While authorities can set rules around timing and routes to maintain order, they cannot outright ban peaceful protests unless there’s a proven threat to national security.
Despite Mwaura’s declaration, it remains to be seen whether youth will heed the government’s call—or whether the right to peaceful protest will prevail.
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