Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka on Tuesday morning joined hundreds of Gen Z protesters at Holy Family Basilica in Nairobi in paying tribute to the victims of June 25th 2024 anti-finance bill victims.
Accompanied by other opposition leaders, Kalonzo called for justice and accountability while also linking past police brutality to recent extrajudicial killings that have reignited national outrage.
“In 2024, young Kenyans caught attention internationally when they came out boldly, armed with just a bottle of water, mobile phones, and our Kenyan national flag to protest against the high cost of living among many other issues, including the Finance Bill 2024. Unfortunately, some of them lost their lives and today, we want to remember them,” Kalonzo said.
Kalonzo who was accompanied DAP-K Party leader Eugene Wamalwa recalled some of the most painful stories of that period.
“I remember, for example, Erick was shot in the head by a sniper’s bullet. I also remember innocent Kennedy Odhiambo, who was shot in Rongai. We heard the testimony of his mother when we went for a memorial service at All Saints Cathedral and then after that, the culture of abductions followed,” he added.
Kalonzo, also recounted facing state repression himself in 2023 condemning the act and calling it suppression of rights and freedoms of Kenyans as enshrined in the 2010 constitution.
“In 2023, I myself was put under house arrest, so brutality has been the order of the day under this current administration. Now today, we just want to remember these young people.” he remarked.
Contrary to the opinion of pro government leaders, Kalonzo emphasized that the day’s mission was to honour the victims not to incite conflict.
This contrasts with the current situation in Nairobi CBD characterized by the violent nature of protests involving police lobbying teargas canisters at protesters.
“We made it very clear that our intention today was to come and lay wreaths in remembrance of young people and I think that is something their parents and other Kenyans are entitled to. We want justice for Ojwang’ and our fallen heroes of June 25 last year,” he said.
The Wiper Party leader also took time to address the growing militarization of demonstrations, condemning the use of hired gangs for intimidating protestors calling it a violation of human rights.
“If there are people welding machetes, pangas, and rungus that’s not our culture. And we make it clear: when the rungu people were demonstrating against the killing of Albert Ojwang’, the police didn’t stop them.”
Kalonzo’s sentiments come after the Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen assured Kenyans of their safety even as the nation marks a tense day.
