Gen Z Commemoration Day: Allan Ademba questions who killed over 60 protesters as Kenya marks demos’ anniversary
By David Nthua, June 25, 2026Activist Allan Ademba has questioned who was responsible for the deaths of more than 60 people during the 2024 and 2025 Finance Bill protests, arguing there is no known case in which protesters killed fellow demonstrators.
Speaking on a local TV station on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, Ademba called for justice and accountability as Kenya prepared to mark the June 25 Gen Z anniversary with fresh demonstrations.
During the televised discussion, Ademba maintained that those who took to the streets were exercising their constitutional rights and said the focus should remain on accountability for lives lost during previous protests.
Protest deaths
Ademba said more than 60 people died during the 2024 and 2025 protests and questioned who was responsible for the killings.
“It is a fact that we lost over 60 people in the 2024-2025 protests. We came to the streets. Tell me one person who was killed by the protesters, but not the state,” he said.
“I would want to know from you who kills the protesters, whether it is the protesters killing themselves or whether it is the state killing the protesters? Is there a single case where we have seen protesters killing protesters?”
His remarks came in response to fellow panellist Roseline Alionya, who opposed planned demonstrations.
Peaceful protests
Ademba insisted that organisers of today’s (June 25, 2026) protests intended to hold peaceful demonstrations and cited the recent End Femicide march as an example.
“Just the other day, there was the End Femicide march, which was very peaceful.
“Shops were still open, and no business was affected. If we say that tomorrow we are going to a peaceful protest, what we expect from Kenyans is to come to the protest.
“We are not going to destroy your properties. All these usually start when the government throws the first tear gas. The electorate loves itself.”
The activist further cited figures from the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), saying many victims of the protests were yet to receive compensation.
“The KNCHR reported that at least 1,101 people were verified as having been affected by the protests.
“To date, only 348 of them have been compensated. Where is the justice? What we are demanding is justice and accountability.”
Beyond protests
While urging Kenyans to participate in the June 25 demonstrations, Ademba said protests alone would not deliver lasting reforms.
“Kenyans are going to the streets to exercise their rights. However, demonstrations and protests alone are not enough. We need systems, young people to be in political parties, and civic education in order to bring change.”
Clergy weighs in
Joining the discussion, Thika-based clergy member Rev Carolyn Kiarie said lasting peace could only be achieved through justice and accountability.
“Peace is not merely the silence of guns; peace is justice. Justice is dignity and peace, and justice is hope, and peace is a responsibility that we all carry together.
“There is a lot of double-speak in this government; they will say one thing and then do the other thing.”
However, activist Roseline Alionya opposed another round of demonstrations, arguing that protests had failed to produce the desired results.
“We cannot continue doing the same thing over and over again and expect different results.
“The president joined an X Space, he wanted to listen to us but instead we insulted him. The president listens.”
Long-term goals
Political analyst Mohammed Abdul said that although the 2024 demonstrations achieved their immediate objective of stopping the Finance Bill, broader concerns remained unresolved.
“June 2024 had some immediate objectives, but it also had some long-term objectives. The immediate objective, which was to reject the Finance Bill, was achieved.
“Reject Finance Bill was also to agitate against economic injustice, unfair taxation, and these are long-term objectives.”
He added that tensions between citizens and the government would persist until those concerns were addressed.
“It is not the citizens who desire to be at odds with the state; it is the activities and the actions of those who run the state that put people at odds with the state.
“We will stay at odds with the state until those long-term objectives are achieved.”
June 25 anniversary
The discussion came as Kenyans prepared to mark the June 25 Gen Z anniversary with demonstrations in memory of those who died during the 2024 anti-Finance Bill protests and renewed calls for justice, accountability and governance reforms.