The President of the Kenya School of Law (KSL), Joshua Okayo, has rebuked President William Ruto for referring to Kenyan Gen Zs as his children.

Speaking during an interview on a local TV channel on Monday, June 23, 2025, Joshua Okayo stated that he is often pained when he hears the president referring to Kenyan Gen Zs as his sons and daughters.

He said that if the president truly meant what he said, he would have listened to the cries of Gen Z, who are constantly on the streets, and would have taken action on the issues they have been raising.

“Nikisikia Rais akituita our sons and daughters naskia uchungu sana, ingekuwa sisi ni their sons and daughters angekuwa ametuskiza na kuaction vile vitu ambazo sisi tunapendekeza,” Okayo said.

He went on to state that if what was meted out on Albert Ojwang had happened to someone in President Ruto’s own family, top police bosses would already be in custody. He questioned the selective treatment of officers, pointing out that only junior officers are currently in custody over Albert’s murder, while senior police bosses continue to walk free.

“Ingelikuwa ni Charlene ama Nick, sai IG na DIG wangekuwa wanakula baridi mahali Langata ama kwenye seli, lakini tunavyozungumza sasa wako huru; kwa nini taalam na Mukwana wako seli na hawa wengine wako seli?” He added

Gen Z commemoration

This comes ahead of the planned June 25, 2025, commemoration in Kenya, marking the first anniversary of the 2024 Gen Z-led protests against the controversial Finance Bill, which proposed steep tax hikes and sparked nationwide unrest.

The 2025 events aim to honour those who lost their lives; reports cite at least five deaths during the storming of Parliament, with some estimates reaching up to 60 due to police violence, and to demand justice for victims of brutality.

Nationwide prayers and peaceful marches are scheduled, including a vigil at Parliament on June 24 and celebrations at Uhuru Park on June 25, where families of the victims will lay flowers and issue a memorandum calling for accountability.

 Opposition leaders like Kalonzo Musyoka and Rigathi Gachagua have declared the day a symbolic “People’s Public Holiday”, urging Kenyans to stay home or join peaceful protests, while activist Boniface Mwangi has called for a boycott of work and school to honour the fallen.