Opposition leaders have criticized the government’s security measures during the June 25 Gen Z memorial activities, accusing authorities of using roadblocks and a heavy police presence to hinder Kenyans from commemorating young people who died during the 2024 anti-government protests.
The leaders spoke outside Serena Hotel on Thursday June 25th 2026 before attempting to proceed to Parliament, where they planned to lay flowers in memory of those who lost their lives during the demonstrations.
People’s Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua questioned the need for extensive security deployments across the city, saying the level of police presence should have been sufficient to prevent any criminal activity.
Opposition leaders lay wreaths on barbed wire barricading parliament in commemorating the victims who died during the 2024 Gen Z protests.
“There is so much police presence. It is inconceivable that there can be any looting or any property damage,” Karua said.
She maintained that the leaders were exercising their constitutional rights and expected law enforcement officers to facilitate a peaceful memorial event.
“We are peaceful. We are not doing anything wrong; we expect this to be peaceful,” she added.
Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka said the gathering was intended to honour victims and stand with their families, arguing that the day deserved national recognition.
“God willing, when we get elected next year, we shall formalise this day to be a proper public holiday,” Kalonzo said.
Former Chief Justice David Maraga said the anniversary was about remembering lives lost and demanding justice for victims and their families.
“Compensation is fine, but no money can buy any life,” Maraga said, insisting that those responsible for the deaths should face legal action.
“The police officers and anybody who was involved must be taken and prosecuted,” he added.
DAP-Kenya leader Eugene Wamalwa also condemned the security operation, describing the barricading of roads leading into Nairobi as an attempt to intimidate citizens.
“The city of Nairobi is completely barricaded. It shows a paranoid government that’s afraid of its own people,” Wamalwa said.
The memorial events took place amid heightened security across the capital, with authorities maintaining that the deployment was necessary to protect lives, property and critical infrastructure while allowing lawful activities to proceed.
Among those accompanying the opposition leaders were families of victims who renewed calls for justice including Mama Rex Maasai, Mama Kennedy Onyango among others.
However, Deputy Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli defended heightened security measures, dismissing claims that police had blocked roads.
“We have not blocked anyone from using the roads. We are only blocking those who are attempting to cause violence. We are stopping vehicles to check whether some are carrying weapons and criminals. That is our work,” he said.
Nairobi Regional Police Commander Issa Mohamud also defended the decision to restrict access to Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD) during the June 25 Gen Z anniversary demonstrations, insisting that the operation was aimed at keeping criminals out of the city rather than stopping peaceful protesters.
“We were not closing the roads; we were just sieving the bandits and other criminals,” he said. “It’s not like we closed the roads; we have been letting people pass.”
