Siaya Governor James Orengo has called for June 25 to be declared a public holiday in honour of Kenyans killed during the 2024 Gen Z protests.

Speaking on Sunday, June 21, 2026, Orengo said the country should formally recognise the young people who died during demonstrations against the Finance Bill and broader governance concerns. He argued that Kenya already commemorates key historical events and should also remember citizens who lost their lives while exercising their constitutional rights.

“We urged, like the mothers did, those who listened to what Mother Kennedy said. She said that the 25th and then the next day, the 26th, should be a public holiday,” Orengo said.

He compared the proposal to the former Kenyatta Day holiday, which marked the arrest and detention of Kenya’s first president, Jomo Kenyatta.

“If you can commemorate the day Kenyatta was arrested and detained, what about on a day when more than 50 young people were brutally killed by the police?” he asked.

Orengo asks Kenyans to mark June 25

The governor urged Kenyans to treat June 25 as a day of national reflection and respect for victims of the protests.

Orengo appealed to the public to either join peaceful demonstrations or stay at home to honour those killed, injured or affected during the unrest.

“I am pleading with Kenyans to either take part in the demonstrations or mark that day from their homes, so that we show the entire world that Kenya cannot live in a situation where impunity is not punished,” he stated.

His remarks come as activists, opposition leaders and families of victims prepare for nationwide commemorations marking the second anniversary of the Gen Z-led protests that shook the country in 2024.

The demonstrations started as opposition to the Finance Bill but later expanded into wider demands for accountability, lower taxation and better governance. The protests led to deaths, injuries and destruction of property in several parts of the country.

Preparations for the June 25 anniversary have intensified in recent days.

People’s Liberation Party leader Martha Karua, activist Boniface Mwangi and several human rights groups recently joined families of victims in a symbolic procession in Nairobi.

The group also issued a formal notice to Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja seeking protection for peaceful marches expected across the country.

Families carrying flowers, placards and portraits of their loved ones said they still want justice nearly two years after the protests.

Organisers expect some families to march to Parliament Buildings in Nairobi to lay flowers at locations linked to deaths reported during the demonstrations.

The organisers insist the events are meant to honour victims and demand accountability, not cause violence or disruption.

Orengo rejects compensation plan

Orengo also criticised the government’s Ksh2 billion compensation programme for victims of protest-related violence.

President William Ruto announced the reparations plan earlier this month, saying it would support affected families, injured protesters, businesses and some law enforcement officers.

However, Orengo argued that compensation alone cannot replace justice and accountability.

“By this arrangement, those who lost their loved ones, if they get about three million shillings for the loss of a young man like Ojwang, I don’t think that that is adequate compensation,” he said.

He claimed civil courts often award much higher amounts in cases involving accidents, unlawful detention or police actions.

“I know a lot of people I have represented, some of them got away with 30 million shillings, 50 million shillings,” Orengo stated.

Earlier in the week, the Siaya governor accused the government of reducing the value of human life to “a predetermined monetary figure”.

He warned against what he described as a dangerous cycle of “Shoot. Kill. Compensate. Move on.”

Orengo instead called for investigations, prosecution of those responsible and institutional reforms within security agencies.

President Ruto defended the compensation framework during its launch at State House.

The President said the payments should not be viewed as the value of life or as a reward for violence.

He insisted accountability measures would continue alongside the reparations process.

The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights has documented more than 1,200 alleged human rights violations linked to protests between 2017 and 2025.

The commission said the reparations framework covers victims of extrajudicial killings, torture and excessive use of force.

Different views on June 25 protests

As June 25 approaches, leaders continue to differ sharply over the planned commemorations.

COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli urged Kenyans to avoid demonstrations, saying repeated protests hurt businesses, workers and investors.

Atwoli asked police to deploy adequately to protect workers and traders who plan to continue with normal activities on the day.

“We are scaring away investors,” he warned.

Despite the differing positions, families of victims continue to push for justice and remembrance.