Democratic Action Party of Kenya leader Eugene Wamalwa is now happy that Kenyans heard the request to avoid risking their lives during the June 25 Gen Z anniversary protests.

Speaking at Serena Hotel in Nairobi on Thursday, June 25, 2026, and accompanied by other opposition leaders, Wamalwa said staying at home was also a form of protest and a way of honouring those who died during previous demonstrations.

Wamalwa thanked Kenyans who chose to remain indoors, saying the move showed respect for those he described as patriots who lost their lives.

“Tunashukuru wale wote ambao wamekaa nyumbani. Hiyo pia ni njia moja ya kutoa heshima kwa hao wazalendo wetu walioaga,” Wamalwa said.

His remarks came after many Kenyans kept away from Nairobi streets, with parts of the city experiencing heavy security presence, roadblocks and restricted movement as the country marked the second anniversary of the June 25 Gen Z protests.

Stay-home protest

The opposition leaders appeared to frame the low turnout in some areas not as a defeat, but as a different form of resistance.

Wamalwa said Kenyans who stayed at home still participated in the commemoration by refusing to expose themselves to danger.

His position appeared to echo an appeal made two days earlier by Democracy for the Citizens Party leader Rigathi Gachagua, who urged young people, business owners, motorists and workers to avoid the streets and remain indoors.

Gachagua had warned that the planned demonstrations could be infiltrated by hired goons and turn deadly.

“I would kindly appeal to the Gen Zs to keep off the streets on Thursday.

“We need them next year. Retreat is not surrender, and it is not cowardice. There is a better way to deal with Ruto constitutionally,” Gachagua said.

He added that young people should not risk their lives during protests when they still have a chance to use the ballot in the next election.

“Please, my sons and daughters, you cannot vote when you are dead,” he said.

Gachagua also made a direct appeal for a nationwide stay-at-home protest.

“I ask all Kenyans on Thursday to stay indoors, stay at home, and avoid the state-sponsored militia organised by Kipchumba Murkomen, who is ruthless.

“There is no need for you to make a point, then you end up in a casket,” he said.

Opposition leaders

Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka also said the events of June 25 had shown the power of staying away from normal activities.

“This is the most successful public holiday, because of the police barricading, so people could not come to places of work.

“We commit that when we take over next year, God willing, we shall formalise this day to be a proper public holiday,” Kalonzo said.

People’s Liberation Party leader Martha Karua claimed any goons who may have been arranged to cause trouble in the Nairobi Central Business District could not be linked to the opposition.

“Those malicious people who may have arranged for goons to be in the CBD belong to the authorities, not to us,” Karua said.

Former Chief Justice David Maraga, on his part, questioned why young protesters who had raised concerns about the high cost of living were met with force.

“Ask yourselves, what crime did those young people commit? Just to say that life had become impossible for Kenyans, and because they talked to the government, they refused to listen. Instead of listening, they teargassed them, killing and maiming,” Maraga said.

Gachagua warning

The June 25 stay-home mood followed days of warnings from Gachagua, who claimed there was a plot to unleash violence during the commemorations.

Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Gachagua said he had been forced to speak out after receiving what he described as intelligence reports on a coordinated scheme to deploy hired gangs in selected counties.

“I wished to address myself on the planned Gen Z commemoration protests. During the last two demos, lives were lost, and businesses were destroyed.

‘To those whose lives have been lost over the last four years, this is not what 55 million Kenyans envisioned,” he said.

The former Deputy President also accused a senior Cabinet Secretary of making remarks suggesting that demonstrations would only be witnessed in the Mt Kenya region.

“A very notorious CS and warmonger stated that demos would only be witnessed in Mt Kenya. This is not just a statement from nowhere,” Gachagua said.

He went on to allege that Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo, Nakuru Senator Tabitha Karanja Kihika and other leaders had organised goons to cause mayhem in the Mt Kenya region.

“I have intelligence that Murkomen, Omollo, Kihika and others have organised goons to cause mayhem in Mt Kenya.

“Two hundred million shillings was withdrawn today in Upperhill from the Interior account, meant to finance goons for Thursday,” he claimed.

Gachagua also claimed senior police officers had raised concerns over instructions to stay away and allow hired gangs to operate.

“Senior police officers have told us they are uncomfortable with instructions that they should keep away and let goons cause chaos in the region,” he said.

He further alleged that DCP strongholds had been targeted so that the party leadership could be blamed for violence.

“I have been informed that DCP strongholds have been targeted so that the leader can be blamed alongside leaders who support him,” he said.

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