By James Murimi - Reporter
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Kenya, 25 June 2026 - Opposition leader Kalonzo Musyoka has renewed calls for June 25 to be formally recognised as Liberation Day, even as tension mounted in Nairobi on Wednesday with reports of heightened police presence around Serena Hotel, where opposition leaders were expected to address the nation ahead of the second anniversary of the Gen Z protests.
Several police Land Cruisers were reportedly deployed around the hotel as leaders allied to the opposition coalition prepared to commemorate the June 25, 2024 demonstrations that culminated in the storming of Parliament and left dozens dead, injured or missing.
In a statement released on the eve of the anniversary, the former Vice President said the country must honour the sacrifices made by young Kenyans who took to the streets to oppose the controversial Finance Bill and demand accountability from the government.
"It's Liberation Day, a day to honour those who gave their lives for the future of our Republic," Kalonzo said.
The Wiper Party leader described the events of June 25, 2024, as a defining moment in Kenya's democratic history, saying young people from across the country united to reject what they viewed as punitive taxation and poor governance.
"Two years ago, young Kenyans from every corner of this Republic poured into our streets and said, with one voice: Enough," he said.
Kalonzo accused the government of responding to peaceful demonstrations with excessive force, enforced disappearances and arbitrary arrests.
"The regime's response to those young people peacefully exercising their constitutional rights was calculated, shameful and contemptible," he said.
He called on security agencies to exercise restraint during Wednesday's commemorations and allow demonstrators to exercise their constitutional rights without interference.
"Demonstrators must be allowed to exercise their constitutional rights without interference from hired goons, excessive force, or live ammunition," he said.
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The opposition chief also criticised Parliament and President William Ruto over the passage and assent of the latest Finance Bill, arguing that leaders had failed to learn from the lessons of the 2024 protests.
"Parliament chose to pass the Finance Bill 2026/2027 and the President assented to it. That decision sends a deeply disturbing message," he said.
Kalonzo further urged the government to ensure accountability for deaths, abductions and alleged human rights violations linked to the protests, saying justice must extend beyond individual perpetrators to those who authorised or facilitated the actions.
He singled out the case of slain protester Rex Masai, arguing that investigative failures had undermined prospects for justice and exposed deeper weaknesses within the country's accountability institutions.
As the nation marks the second anniversary of the protests, Kalonzo proposed that June 25 be permanently gazetted as Liberation Day to honour victims and serve as a reminder of the struggle for democratic freedoms.
"This day should serve as a permanent reminder of the sacrifices made by brave Kenyans in defence of freedom, a National Day of Remembrance, reflection and accountability," he said.
The anniversary comes amid heightened political tensions and renewed calls by activists and opposition leaders for justice for victims of the demonstrations, with security agencies on high alert ahead of planned memorial events and public gatherings across the country.
Kalonzo has further urged the government to ensure accountability for deaths, abductions and alleged human rights violations linked to Gen Z protests.