ODM Urges Kenyan Youth To Join June 25 Protests
The event, scheduled for Wednesday, June 25, will be observed through nationwide protests in remembrance of the youth who lost their lives fighting for change.
Viral Tea Ke Writer 
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has urged young people to show up in large numbers for the upcoming commemoration honoring Gen Z protesters who died during last year’s anti-government demonstrations.
The event, scheduled for Wednesday, June 25, will be observed through nationwide protests in remembrance of the youth who lost their lives fighting for change.
In a statement signed by Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, the party also defended its leader, Raila Odinga, following backlash from a recent Standard headline titled Gen Z Betrayers.
The article accused Odinga—and activist Kasmuel McOure—of betraying the youth movement by aligning with the government. ODM dismissed the accusation as misleading and reaffirmed its backing of the planned demonstrations.
Front page of the Standard newspaper dated June 23, 2025. /THE STANDARD
"As we draw close to the anniversary of the Gen Z protests, we urge Kenyans of goodwill to uphold national unity and ignore those who seek to divide us," the statement read in part.
"The Party has for a long time been an advocate and practitioner of peaceful protest and change, and we urge all those who will turn out to commemorate the anniversary this Wednesday, to fearlessly stand on the side of freedom and democracy, and the right to protest as enshrined in the constitution."
Meanwhile, the party criticized the publication, accusing it of pushing a hidden agenda aimed at pressuring Raila Odinga into aligning ODM with the political interests of the media house's owners. They noted that the outlet, which has recently published scathing headlines targeting the government and its affiliates, is now unfairly targeting ODM.
ODM argued that branding the party as "betrayers" was both misleading and unjust, especially considering the background of last year’s Gen Z protests. The party emphasized that the demonstrations were a grassroots, organic movement by young Kenyans demanding their rights—particularly the rejection of the 2024 Finance Bill—and were not driven by any political party or leader.
The party reaffirmed that supporting the ideals of those protests is not an act of betrayal, but rather a continuation of their long-standing commitment to defending constitutional freedoms.
ODM also clarified that it is not part of the government, stressing that its current cooperation is solely focused on promoting peace and safeguarding democracy. Lastly, the party condemned the publication—based along Mombasa Road—for repeatedly pushing a narrative that contradicts ODM’s principles and values.
''We have stated time without number that ODM is not part of the Kenya Kwanza government.. Whatever stability frameworks we enter into for the sustenance of a peaceful nation and democracy, they do not amount to joining the government. It is, therefore, in really bad taste for the Standard to consistently run this narrative, knowing it is false. The journalistic tenet of truth, honesty, and fairness cannot be sacrificed for political points,'' it added.
''The leadership of ODM and the entire party refuses to be intimidated and railroaded by partisan propaganda disguised as journalism. We particularly reject what appears to be the undeclared rules that seem to govern the Standard's coverage and treatment of the party's leader, Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga, whose sole aim is to distort the public's view of him and to force him into a political direction of the company's ownership.''
Meanwhile, the government has firmly rejected the possibility of allowing any street protests, despite growing online mobilization by young people planning peaceful marches to honor Gen Z protesters who died during last year’s anti-government demonstrations.
Speaking on a morning radio show on Monday, Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura insisted that no demonstrations would be allowed on June 25. He emphasized the importance of maintaining public order and ensuring the smooth operation of the economy. Mwaura added that anyone wishing to mark the day was free to do so privately from their homes.
"Today, I provided clarification regarding the security situation and the planned protests set to take place on June 25. I emphasized that there will be no protests on June 25, and that day will be a normal day," he said, adding "Anyone who wishes to commemorate it is free to do so in their own home."
Kenyans take to the streets of Nairobi CBD during protests on June 12, 2025. /X
