June 25 has become more than just a date—it represents national anguish and defiance. On this day in 2024, what began as peaceful demonstrations against the Finance Bill turned into one of the most violent confrontations between citizens and the state in Kenya’s recent history. The protests resulted in numerous deaths, injuries, arrests, and the burning of Parliament. The aftermath left scars on the country’s conscience, but also ignited an unrelenting demand for accountability.

This year, June 25 is being reclaimed as a national day of action, remembrance, and continued resistance. Citizens across political, generational, and social lines are rallying not only to honor the fallen but to pressure the state to recognize and remedy its failures.

Call for Justice and a National Holiday

Leading the push for the commemoration are youth-led civil movements, human rights organizations, and opposition political figures. Their principal demand is that the government formally declare June 25 a public holiday to honor those who died during the 2024 protests.

They argue that memorializing the date is essential to national healing and to ensuring that the state does not erase the trauma inflicted. The proposal also includes compensating affected families, initiating independent investigations into the killings, and prosecuting the responsible officers.

The Role of Youth and Grassroots Mobilization

Much of the momentum behind the June 25 protests is being driven by Kenya’s youth—particularly Gen Z and urban professionals who led last year’s viral organizing campaigns. Their role has expanded beyond digital activism into strategic street mobilization, legal awareness drives, and coalition-building with labor unions, students, and religious leaders.

For many young Kenyans, June 25 is not just about the past—it represents their claim to the future. Their participation underscores the growing politicization of a generation long viewed as disengaged.

Government Response and Security Measures

The government has remained largely silent about the protest plans, but security preparations indicate it is taking the situation seriously. Law enforcement agencies have begun deploying additional personnel to major cities, particularly Nairobi, Kisumu, Mombasa, and Nakuru.

Checkpoints, surveillance, and possible internet restrictions are expected. There are reports of internal meetings within the security apparatus to prepare for crowd control and possible unrest. The Ministry of Interior is rumored to be considering public statements discouraging unauthorized assemblies.

However, organizers have insisted that the protests will proceed peacefully and have urged demonstrators to document any unlawful conduct by authorities.

Political Undertones and Leadership Pressure

Opposition figures have seized the opportunity to amplify their criticism of the ruling administration. Some have accused the government of deliberate inaction, while others have called for the resignation of top security officials who oversaw the 2024 crackdown.

There is also a rising chorus calling for Parliament to pass legislation prohibiting the use of lethal force during protests. A bill is reportedly being drafted by a coalition of opposition lawmakers aimed at restricting police powers and increasing the liability of commanding officers.

Potential Impact and Future Trajectory

If the protests proceed without major incident, they may mark a turning point in Kenya’s civic resistance narrative—offering momentum for deeper constitutional reforms and improved police accountability.

However, if they are met with violent suppression, the nation risks entering another cycle of unrest, potentially sparking spontaneous revolts and further undermining state legitimacy.

The events of June 25, 2025, will not just reflect the grievances of a wounded public; they will be a national test of whether justice and memory can overcome silence and impunity.

Conclusion

The planned protests on June 25 serve as a powerful reminder that collective memory cannot be erased through fear. As Kenya stands on the edge of another historical moment, the choices made—by the people and by the state—will echo far beyond a single day of defiance. This is more than a protest. It is a reckoning.