Kalonzo: Second Gen Z commemoration was successful
By Emmanuel Rono, June 28, 2026Wiper Patriotic Front party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has dismissed claims that opposition leaders fled and abandoned mourners during the second anniversary commemoration of the Gen Z protests, insisting the event was peaceful, successful and achieved its intended purpose.
Speaking during a church service on Sunday, June 28, 2026, Kalonzo clarified some allegations that opposition leaders abandoned mourners, saying those making the claims were not present at the event.
“Ata ingawaje walisema oh sijui tuliweka maua na tukatoroka, hata hawakuja hawakuwa pale. Mimi nilikuwa na Mheshimiwa Martha Karua kwa gari yangu na mama wawili ambao bado watoto wao hawajapatikana; miaka miwili baadaye, tulienda nao kwa gari yangu. Kwa hivyo hatukutoka kiholela, na hatukuwa na uoga na we made a message,” Kalonzo stated.
Kalonzo also accused security agencies of preventing opposition leaders from accessing Parliament grounds to lay flowers in memory of young Kenyans killed during the 2024 anti-government protests.
“Mimi mwenyewe nilienda kuweka maua, badala ya kunikubalia na wenzangu viongozi, Mheshimiwa Eugene Wamalwa tulikuwa naye, hao wengine walizuiliwa hata hawakufika huko, huko karibu mahali tulipokuwa, tukaenda kuweka badala ya kukubali kiheshima ya watoto hao waliouawa, hata hawakukubali sisi twende karibu na Bunge. Ikatubidi tuweke maua juu ya seng’enge.”
Second anniversary was a success
He maintained that the second Gen Z commemoration achieved its objectives and honoured young Kenyans who stood up for constitutionalism, accountability and good governance.
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Kalonzo further claimed that despite the successful commemoration, several people were arrested and others assaulted by security officers.
“Kwa hivyo maadhimisho ya pili ya tukio la vijana wetu wa Kenya wazalendo, ambao walisema wanataka nchi yao iwe inaongozwa kikatiba, kiutu, bila wizi, maadhimisho hayo yalifaulu sana,” Kalonzo said.
Govt praises June 25 protests
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has praised Kenyans for maintaining peace during the June 25 anniversary protests, saying the largely calm demonstrations provided a model for how future protests should be conducted.
Speaking during a presser on Thursday, June 25, 2026, Murkomen said the protests demonstrated that citizens can exercise their constitutional right to assemble while allowing others to continue with their daily economic activities.
He noted that while many Kenyans initially stayed away from business centres out of caution due to experiences from previous demonstrations, confidence gradually returned as the day progressed and the situation remained peaceful.
“Today’s example is the type of example that you want in a country like ours going forward,” Murkomen said. “We should pick from the lessons that we learned today and ensure that future protests are as peaceful as possible.”