Makau Mutua: Opposition should stop hiding behind mothers of protest victims
By Emmanuel Rono, June 25, 2026Political analyst and lawyer Makau Mutua has accused a section of opposition politicians of exploiting mothers of victims killed during anti-government protests by involving them in demonstrations.
In a statement on his X account on Thursday, June 25, 2026, Mutua claimed that some opposition leaders are using the grieving mothers as human shields during ongoing protest marches.
“Opposition politicians should stop using mothers of protest victims as HUMAN SHIELDS. I see they have taken them HOSTAGE to marches today. Stop hiding behind victims. This is very cowardly,” Mutua said.
Opposition leaders mourning with GenZ families
The comments by Mutua comes just hours after the opposition leaders, led by Kalonzo Musyoka, Martha Karua, Willy Mutunga, Eugene Wamalwa and James Orengo, joined families, activists and young protesters in a march towards Parliament Buildings on Thursday, June 25, 2026.
The procession, which carried flowers and placards bearing the names of victims, was intended as a peaceful tribute marking the second anniversary of the historic Gen Z-led protests that culminated in demonstrators breaching Parliament on June 25, 2024.
The incident triggered a deadly confrontation that left several people dead and many others injured.As the group attempted to proceed towards Parliament, police officers blocked their path and ordered members of the public to disperse, resulting in a brief standoff between opposition leaders, activists and security personnel.
Families mourning their loved ones
A woman who identified herself as Julian Munyao, the mother of Rex Kanyike Masai, said compensation alone could not replace justice.
“Kwa majina naitwa Julian Munyao, mama yake Rex Kanyike Masai. Yangu ni kusema, arrest the killer cops because compensation cannot replace accountability,” she said.
Another mother, identified as Mama Ericsson, said she had gone to Parliament to honour her son, who she said was killed outside the House.
“We just want justice from the government, above all, and accountability. My son was killed today outside Parliament. I came to honour my son,” she said.
Mama Kennedy Onyango also pleaded with police to allow the families to remember their children peacefully, saying their age could not allow them to run from tear gas in the streets.
“Tafadhali, leo tuwache na amani tukumbuke watoto wetu. Usitupige na tear gas, umri yetu si ya kukimbia na kuruka kwa barabara,” he said.