Kalonzo Wants Declaration Of Public Holiday To Honour Gen Z

Wiper Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka is now calling for June 25 to be declared and gazetted as a public holiday to honour Kenya's Gen Z, some of who lost their lives during the anti-Finance Bill protests in 2024.

Speaking during the official launch of the People's Liberation Party on Thursday, February 27, Kalonzo claimed that June 25 was the true day of liberation to oppose injustice, denounce abductions, condemn the plundering of Kenya’s resources, and put an end to the suffering of the Kenyan people.

"I want to make a very serious proposal...in order to honour the young Kenyans who died, a lot of them on June 25, which I call J25. If it meets the approval of young Kenyans, we will, Martha and our colleagues, declare...because that is the true liberation day for purposes of fighting injustice and saying no to abductions, stealing of our resources and impoverishing our people...we will declare June 25 a public holiday," Kalonzo said.

"You cannot wish that away. Our young people are still very angry, but they have become an inspiration to the world. University students in Bangladesh took it up and removed Sheikh Hasina, she had to flee to India. University students in Sweden were asking me how our Gen Zs did it," Kalonzo continued.

Other leaders at the launch echoed his remarks, including former Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana, who commended Gen Z for their willingness to sacrifice their lives. Kibwana urged leaders to follow Gen Z's example and be prepared to set aside their ambitions for the nation's greater good.

According to a report by Amnesty International and several human rights organizations, 61 people lost their lives during the protests. The report, based on extensive research and interviews, revealed that six people were killed on June 25 alone, while 72 individuals were either abducted or remain missing due to the demonstrations.

More than six months have passed since thousands of Kenyans took to the streets to voice their opposition to the Finance Bill 2024.

The protests began a new-age revolution where young Kenyans expressed their voice to the maximum over oppressive government policies, however, it was the June 25 protests that proved a historic turning point, as demonstrators entered Parliament for the first time, boldly exercising their constitutional right to protest.

The aftermath of the protests shook President William Ruto's government to the core, prompting changes that included a disbanding of the Cabinet. However, the President's move to create a broad-based government was seen as a betrayal to Gen Z as not only did it soften the stance of the opposition but also made Gen Z the new opposition in Kenya.

In light of this, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua urged Kenya's Gen Z to be proactive by ensuring that they register as voters ahead of the 2027 general elections.

"I've seen a Cabinet Secretary insulting Gen Z saying they are hooligans. These Gen Zs are your medicine in the political field and they are about 9 million. Our young people are doing a very good job on the smartphone but that is not enough. The real transformation of this country will happen on the ballot box," Gachagua spoke at the same event.

"We are pleading with Gen Z to get national IDs and register as voters. On election day, show up early, at 3 am you’re in the queue. After you vote, record on your smartphone and mobilise the rest of us who are within your reach. You are the real liberators of this country and we will join you because we have some experience and some exposure but the energy and the knowledge to sort out William Ruto lies with the Gen Z."