Defiance at Parliament: Opposition Leaders Lay Wreaths, Face Barriers on Protest Anniversary
Opposition leaders and grieving families commemorated the second anniversary of the 2024 anti-Finance Bill protests by laying wreaths at Parliament, honoring Gen Z protesters killed. The event amplified demands for accountability over compensation, amidst pledges to formalize the date as a public holiday. Nairobi saw heightened security and traffic disruptions during the solemn memorial.
On Thursday, June 25, 2026, a solemn memorial took place at the Parliament buildings in Nairobi, as opposition stalwarts Kalonzo Musyoka (Wiper) and Martha Karua (PLP), alongside grieving families, led a procession to lay wreaths. This tribute was in honor of the Gen Z protesters who were killed during the anti-Finance Bill demonstrations in June 2024. The procession, which commenced from the Serena Hotel, included other notable figures such as former Chief Justice David Maraga, DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa, and Siaya Governor James Orengo. This moving tribute proceeded despite a heavy, armed security presence encircling the legislative buildings, underscoring the enduring significance of the event.
A central theme of the memorial was the unequivocal demand for accountability over compensation. Gillian Munyao, the mother of the late Rex Masai—one of the first victims of the 2024 police crackdowns—delivered a stern message to State House. She firmly rejected any financial settlements, stating, “Compensation cannot replace accountability. Arrest the killer cops. That is my message to the government.” Her powerful words highlighted the families' collective pursuit of justice for their slain kin.
Earlier in the day, during a press briefing at the Serena Hotel, Kalonzo Musyoka made a significant political pledge. He committed to immortalizing June 25 as a proper public holiday should the opposition alliance successfully unseat President William Ruto in the upcoming 2027 General Election. Kalonzo declared, “Next year, God willing, we shall formalize this day to be a proper public holiday, complete with the points that the Gen Zs have highlighted.”
The memorial march took place against the backdrop of a heavily fortified Nairobi capital. Security agencies had fortified the Parliament buildings with barbed wire and deployed a massive contingent of specialized officers to man the area. Major transit arteries leading into the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD)—including Thika Road, Waiyaki Way, Mombasa Road, Lang’ata Road, and Ngong Road—faced severe gridlock due to numerous snap police checkpoints. Addressing the public disruption, Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Gilbert Masengeli defended these roadblocks, explaining that the measures were strictly operational checks designed to screen for armed individuals and prevent criminal elements from infiltrating the commemorative event.
The poignant image of families laying wreaths on the barbed wire surrounding Parliament vividly marked the second anniversary of the 2024 anti-tax protests, which had brought the country to a standstill. This enduring display of grief and defiance served as a powerful reminder of the lives lost and the unresolved demands for justice and governmental accountability following the demonstrations.