The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has called on Kenyans to uphold peace and observe the rule of law as the country prepares for the June 25 commemoration of the 2024 Gen Z protests.

In a public advisory issued on their X handle on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, the agency emphasised that national security is a shared responsibility and urged citizens to remain vigilant against individuals who may seek to exploit the commemorative events to engage in criminal activities.

The DCI noted that every Kenyan has a right to live, work and conduct their daily activities in a safe environment, stressing that peace and stability are essential for the country’s progress.

“Our nation is strongest when we choose peace over violence, dialogue over destruction, and the rule of law over lawlessness,” the DCI said in a statement.

The investigative agency has warned against what it described as criminal elements and goons who may take advantage of moments of heightened public interest to incite violence, destroy property, or endanger lives.

As thousands of Kenyans are expected to mark the anniversary of the Gen Z-led demonstrations that rocked the country in June 2024, the DCI has urged members of the public to report any suspicious activities, incitement to violence, or criminal acts before they occur.

“If you see suspicious activities, incitement to violence, or criminal acts being planned or executed, do not remain silent. Your courage to speak up can prevent tragedy and save lives,” the DCI statement further read.

The agency further reminded citizens that constitutional rights must be exercised responsibly, noting that freedom thrives where the rule of law is respected.

The DCI encouraged Kenyans to share information anonymously via its toll-free hotline and WhatsApp channels, assuring the public that their identities would be protected.

“Macho yako. Taarifa yako. Usalama wetu,” the agency stated.

The DCI has urged citizens to work together with security agencies to safeguard lives and property during the June 25 commemorative activities.

The June 25 anniversary is expected on Thursday, June 25, 2026, to draw significant public attention as Kenyans reflect on the Gen Z protests of 2024, which protested against the high cost of living and punitive taxation in the Finance Bill, leading to the deaths of scores of protesters.

Goons ahead of June 25 protests

The statement from the detective agency comes a day after the Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen admitted that the government cannot guarantee that criminal elements will not infiltrate the planned June 25 demonstrations, even as he pledged a tough response against anyone who engages in violence, looting, or destruction of property during the protests.

Speaking during a televised interview on a local TV station on the night of Monday, June 22, 2026, ahead of the nationwide commemorations marking the second anniversary of the historic June 25, 2024, anti-finance bill protests, Murkomen said security agencies would protect peaceful demonstrators but could not prevent every potential troublemaker from joining the protests.

“I cannot guarantee there will be no goons. I can only guarantee security. For us, any person who is going to organise goons, people who come with machetes, carry rungus and matchsticks, and steal people’s goods, we will deal with them according to the law,” Murkomen said.