PROTEST MEMORIAL VICTIMS

FAMILIES OF THOSE WHO DIED IN PROTESTS HELD A PROTEST MEMORIAL IN PEACEFUL PROTEST

Families of those who died during the June 25 protests held A PROTEST MEMORIAL in peaceful demonstration in Nairobi. During the procession, the families, accompanied by human rights activists, demanded justice for their loved ones. They also appealed to security officers to guarantee their safety as they exercised their democratic right.

On June 25, 2024, the country was plunged into mourning following nationwide protests against the 2024/2025 finance bill, which left nearly 60 young people dead and many others nursing injuries.

Families of the victims held a memorial in their honor. The event began with a prayer rally around Moi Avenue, before they proceeded on a peaceful march to harambee house their main target to reach the office of president william ruto where they aimed to deliver a message demanding justice for their loved ones.

The bereaved wore black clothing, with some tying black bands around their heads as a symbol of grief and mourning. They carried placards bearing the names of the deceased and slogans such as “youth not bullets” and “justice for the killed.” Some of the messages also called on president william ruto to resign from office.

Joined by leaders from civil society organizations, human rights defenders, and a few opposition politicians, the demonstrators peacefully marched through kenyatta avenue, then along uhuru highway to state house road. Along the way, they read out the names of victims, blew whistles and sang songs of mourning and hope.

“It is very shameful that William Ruto administration will go down in history that’s afraid of its own people went and deploy unemployed youths to go a beat their fellow citizen as if it is an economic bribery,” Kalonzo said outside Parliament.

At one point, the protesters were forced to seek shelter inside nation centre after police officers threw tear gas into the crowd.

“I can tell you in the years to come, this will be celebrated as a national holiday properly, with people able to come to Parliament without let or hindrance, without having these heavily armed policemen armed to kill their own citizens. What a shame,” Kalonzo said.

The memorial was held in honor of those killed at the hands of police last year. These protests come at a time when killings by police appear to be on the rise, the most recent being the shooting of bonface kariuki, a young face mask vendor.

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja asked participants not to join protests and avoid violence.

“I urge all Kenyans and the people of Nairobi to reject violence and criminal behaviour as they take to the streets this coming week. I have spoken to the command of the police to assure peaceful demonstrators that they will be protected as they express their rights,” he said on Sunday.

“Let everyone respect the law. Violence, riots, and chaos are not signs of democracy, and there will be no such thing going forward. We will protect our city and beloved country in accordance with the law.”