On the morning of June 25, 2025, opposition leaders Kalonzo Musyoka and Eugene Wamalwa led a solemn procession through central Nairobi to honour young protesters who lost their lives during last year’s anti-government demonstrations.
The leaders, accompanied by families of the deceased and civil society members, walked from Holy Family Basilica to Parliament Road, where they laid wreaths at a police barricade.
The event took place under tight security.
Anti-riot officers had sealed off Parliament Square with razor wire, anticipating renewed protests by youth groups marking the anniversary of the June 2024 demonstrations police presence, the leaders conducted their tribute peacefully and without confrontation.
Kalonzo and Wamalwa accused the government of using excessive force to silence dissent.
They cited past incidents of abductions, unlawful arrests, and alleged extrajudicial killings targeting protest leaders.
They also condemned the continued intimidation of youth activists, many of whom had mobilized protests through social media platforms.
The leaders declared June 25 as Youth Transparency Day, calling it a moment to reflect on the sacrifices made by young Kenyans in pursuit of justice and accountability.
They referenced the story of a young man named Brian, who died during the 2023 protests while saving to build a home for his mother.
His death, they said, symbolized the broader struggle of a generation demanding change.
The opposition also criticized the government’s silence on unresolved scandals, including fertilizer subsidy mismanagement and questionable foreign deals.
They accused state agencies of shielding powerful individuals while targeting ordinary citizens.
The procession ended without incident.
However, the emotional weight of the day lingered. Families of the victims stood quietly behind the leaders, holding portraits of their loved ones.
Their presence underscored the human cost of political unrest and the growing demand for transparency in governance.
By Newshub