Sifuna says Raila was not responsible for halting 2024 Gen Z protests
By Mustafa Juma, June 14, 2026Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has dismissed claims that the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga played any role in stopping the 2024 Gen Z anti-government protests.
Sifuna has insisted that the demonstrations ended independently of political leadership.
Speaking during a podcast interview uploaded on YouTube on Sunday, June 14, 2026, Sifuna said public debate around Raila’s alleged involvement in halting the protests is based on a misreading of timelines and events on the ground.
Sifuna argued that by the time Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leaders entered into a working arrangement with the government, street protests had already begun winding down.
He maintained that the Gen Z movement had already shifted its strategy, with many protesters publicly indicating they would no longer continue demonstrations targeting State House.
According to him, the decision to stop the protests was not directed by political leaders but emerged organically from the youth-led movement itself.
“The period between June 24th, na hiyo period ODM CSs waliingia kwa serikali, hakukuwa na maandamano hiyo time. I always disagree with anyone who says that Baba (Raila Odinga) ndo alisimamisha maandamano. Hakukuwa na maandamano hiyo time. Timelines are important,” Sifuna said.
“By the time hawa majamaa wanaingia kwa serikali July, hakukuwa na maandamano ya kusimamishwa. Gen Z wenyewe ndo walisimamisha maandamano yao. Unakumbuka wakisema mambo ya kwenda State House hawaendi? And all those tweets are there. Sio Baba alisema wasiende. That one, we have to be very clear.”
Defending Raila Odinga’s position
The senator also defended Raila Odinga’s political stance during the unrest, saying his engagement with government was motivated by two key considerations: protecting Kenya’s democratic stability and preventing further loss of life.
Sifuna insisted that Raila’s position should not be interpreted as support for President William Ruto’s administration, but rather as an attempt to reduce political tension and safeguard national stability.
He emphasised that Raila’s approach was grounded in constitutional principles, arguing that political disputes should ultimately be resolved through elections rather than prolonged street protests.
Sifuna said this distinction is important in understanding the political context of the period, adding that Raila’s actions were misrepresented in some public narratives.
“Baba’s argument ya kusema anataka kusupport hii gava ilikuwa too void. Alisema issues mbili pekee and he explained them well. Alisema we must protect the democratic state, yakwamba kama ni kumtoa Ruto tumtoe kwa ballot, number two, akasema we are preserving life kwa sababu watu wengi walikuwa wanakufa. Those arguments to me made sense, and it was never about supporting William Ruto,” Sifuna said.
June 25 protests’ anniversary
The remarks come as the country prepares to mark the second anniversary of the June 2024 Gen Z protests, which will be marked on June 25, 2026, the day the protesters breached and stormed parliament.
During the incident, many lives were lost. Police thwarted a similar event in 2025, but it remains to be seen how successful the upcoming anniversary will be.
Wiper Patriotic Front leader Kalonzo Musyoka has said opposition supporters will return to the streets on June 25, 2026, to remember young people killed during the 2024 anti-Finance Bill protests and to oppose new government policies, including the Finance Bill 2026/27.
Speaking in Thika on Saturday, May 23, 2026, Kalonzo told supporters that the planned demonstrations will also serve as a moment of remembrance for what he called “Gen Z victims” of state violence during past protests.
“Wakati wa mgomo wa matatu, watu wanne walipigwa risasi wakauwawa,” he said. “Ni kama serikali hii iko na haja kubwa na damu ya wananchi wa Kenya. Na ni lazima tuikomeshe.”
He accused the government of using excessive force against citizens and said many young people had lost their lives during demonstrations linked to economic grievances.