President William Ruto has warned against any attempts to disrupt normal activities as Kenya prepares to mark the second anniversary of the 2024 Gen Z-led anti-Finance Bill protests on June 25, 2026.

Speaking at the National Productivity and Performance Conference at State House, Nairobi, on June 19, 2026, the president said the country must continue with its daily activities while safeguarding productivity and economic growth.

Ruto said the government will not allow the destruction of property, chaos or disruption of normal activities as the country prepares to mark the June 25 anniversary. He emphasised the need to safeguard national productivity and maintain normal operations across all sectors of the economy.

He added that learners should remain in school, workers should continue with their duties, businesses should operate, and farmers should carry on with their activities to support the country’s growth and development.

“The one thing that is not going to happen is that people will be mobilised to destroy property or to cause chaos or mayhem. That will not happen. Children will go to school because it’s their right to go to school. Workers will go to work because that’s how we raise the productivity of our nation. Businesses will open and grow our economy. Farmers too and everybody so that we can take the nation forward,” he said.

His remarks come as preparations intensify for commemorative activities linked to the June 25, 2024 protests, which left at least 67 people dead.

Opposition plans

Opposition leaders and activists have announced plans to mark the anniversary through memorial events and marches in honour of those who lost their lives during the demonstrations.

Siaya Governor James Orengo on June 18, 2026, called on Kenyans to participate in remembrance activities, including a march to Parliament Buildings in Nairobi and vigils across the country. He urged citizens to honour victims and support calls for justice.

“We invite all Kenyans, mothers, fathers, siblings and friends, to march to Parliament to demand justice,” he stated on X.

People’s Liberation Party leader Martha Karua and Governor Orengo have also written to Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja seeking assurances that security agencies will protect participants and property during the planned marches.

The organisers said the activities are intended to commemorate victims and advocate for accountability while remaining peaceful.

Compensation demands and political mobilisation

The anniversary has also become a focal point for demands relating to compensation for affected families.

United Opposition leaders, through a statement read by Kalonzo Musyoka on June 10, 2026, called for the release of KSh2 billion in compensation to victims’ families before June 25. The leaders questioned the placement of the funds under the State House budget and proposed that the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights manage the compensation process.

“We want this money paid… on or before June 25,” Kalonzo said.

The opposition has further linked the anniversary events to wider governance concerns, including the recent arrest of former Chief Justice David Maraga during protests over the alleged excision of land from Nairobi National Park.

The Linda Mwananchi movement, led by Edwin Sifuna, has also pledged to participate in the planned June 25 activities.

With commemorations drawing closer, attention remains focused on how authorities, organisers and participants will manage the events across the country.