University student leaders across the country have announced that they will not participate in the planned June 25 demonstrations, instead urging fellow students to commemorate the anniversary of the Gen Z protests through reflection and prayer.
Addressing the media on Tuesday, serving and former student leaders led by Ker Abich Carlos, the Secretary General Mount Kenya University said they had resolved to stay away from street protests and called on comrades nationwide to honour those who lost their lives during the 2024 and 2025 anti-government demonstrations from their homes and learning institutions.
He began by conveying their condolences to families that lost loved ones during the protests, describing the deaths and injuries sustained by young people as a painful loss to the nation.
“We wish to convey our heartfelt condolences to families who lost their loved ones during the 2024 and 2025 Gen Z protests. To the other victims, we say pole and forever you remain in our hearts as comrades,” Ker Abich said.
They added that every life lost represented a dream cut short and an opportunity denied.
“Every death was a robbed chance of a livelihood, and every injury was a puncture to a big dream. We salute you,” said Calvin Kowang Kenyatta University Law School student.
The student leaders, however, expressed concern over what they termed as the continued hijacking of peaceful youth activities by individuals pursuing personal and political interests.
They accused some politicians of exploiting young people to settle political scores, often exposing them to danger while pursuing their own agendas.
“We rebuke in the strongest terms possible the persons who have continuously hijacked peaceful youth activities for personal gains while we, the youths, continue to lose our lives,” Kowang said.
Zadock Nyakwaka the Secretary General Kenyatta University urged university students and other young people to remain vigilant and avoid being manipulated into participating in activities that could lead to violence, destruction of property and loss of life.
“We call upon all comrades to desist from manipulation by these individuals, including political leaders who put us at the centre of their conflicts to settle political scores,” Kowang stated.
The leaders further urged students to exercise caution and keep away from activities that threaten peace and stability in the country.
“We call upon our members to exercise caution and absent themselves from calls by politicians to participate in activities which will cause loss of lives, destruction to property and that which undermines peace in Kenya,” he added.
As part of the anniversary commemorations, the student leaders encouraged comrades across the country, particularly those currently in session, to observe the day through prayers and moments of reflection.
They said the anniversary should provide young people with an opportunity to reflect on their collective responsibility in shaping the country’s future.
“As university student leaders, we declare here that comrades will not be available for street demonstrations on June 25 and instead will use the anniversary to reflect on their shared responsibility as youths of this country,” he said.
The announcement comes amid heightened anticipation ahead of the first anniversary of the 2024 Gen Z protests, which saw thousands of young Kenyans take to the streets to oppose the Finance Bill and demand greater accountability from the government.
The demonstrations, largely organised through social media, marked one of the most significant youth-led movements in Kenya’s recent history, drawing attention both locally and internationally.
However, the protests also resulted in deaths, injuries and widespread destruction, with rights groups continuing to demand accountability for victims.
