Suna West Member of Parliament Peter Masara has taken a swipe at Siaya Governor James Orengo.

Masara spoke to a local TV station on Thursday, June 25, 2026, where he regretted that Orengo has been in the streets for over 40 years and is still not tired.

Masara said Kenya cannot continue doing the same things repeatedly and expect different results, arguing that leaders should instead work from within the government to influence change.

Masara’s remarks

Masara criticised Orengo’s continued support for street protests, saying leaders should embrace participation in governance instead of repeatedly mobilising demonstrations.

“Right now, if you look at Orengo, who was telling people to go to the streets, he has been there for over 40 years. We cannot do the same thing, the same way and expect different results.”

The Suna West MP said leaders who have an opportunity to participate in government should use that space to hold the administration accountable while also proposing solutions.

“That is why we are saying, if we are given an opportunity to participate in how we are being governed as a country, we will criticise the government from within and offer solutions.”

His remarks came as Kenyans marked the second anniversary of the June 25, 2024, Gen Z protests.

Nyutu responds

Murang’a Senator Joe Nyutu strongly disagreed with Masara’s position, saying families who lost loved ones during the Gen Z protests have every right to choose how they commemorate them.

“Masara, you have no right at all to tell families that lost their loved ones how they should express themselves.”

Nyutu said Masara could not speak on behalf of bereaved families because he had not personally lost a loved one during the protests.

“Masara did not lose any of his loved ones.”

He also rejected suggestions that families should hold memorial services away from the locations where their loved ones died.

“Masara says that he doesn’t support them going to the streets because they can go to a Freedom Corner and call a pastor. These people want to go and remember their loved ones in the streets where they lost their loved ones.”

Orengo’s position

Masara’s criticism comes days after Siaya Governor James Orengo defended the planned June 25 commemorations, saying they were initiated by families who lost their children during the Gen Z protests.

“The petition is in the name of the mothers. The notice for the demonstrations was also presented by the mothers.”

Orengo said once organisers notify authorities in accordance with the Constitution, the responsibility shifts to the police to facilitate and secure the demonstrations.

“When somebody gives notice of a demonstration in accordance with the law, the police are required to provide security and protect the rights of those who are demonstrating.”

He also defended the commemoration of those who died during the protests, saying remembering them is consistent with democratic values.

“What about a day when more than 50 young people were killed? There is nothing wrong with commemorating such a day in a democracy.”

The exchange highlights the growing political divide over the June 25 Gen Z anniversary, with some leaders urging engagement through government institutions while others insist peaceful demonstrations remain a legitimate constitutional avenue for remembrance and accountability.