Split opposition as some leaders keep off street protests
Politics
By
Irene Githinji
| Jun 26, 2026
Opposition leaders Kalonzo Musyoka, Eugene Wamalwa, Martha Karua, former Chief Justice David Maraga and Siaya Governor James Orengo during Gen-Z anniversary protests in Nairobi, June 25, 2026. [Kanyiri Wahito, Standard]
Several leaders of the United Opposition joined the planned the second anniversary of the Gen Z revolution despite former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua urging protesters to stay away from the streets.
Some of the leaders and families of the victims were met with violence as security officers violently dispersed their march to the Parliament to lay flowers at the site where young protesters were shot dead.
Gachagua on Tuesday cited intelligence on planned State-sponsored violence on demonstrators.
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The Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader, who is at his Wamunyoro home for a 45-day retreat, did not show up but hit out at Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen in his social media posts.
Terming him as the "most clueless minister in charge of security since independence", Gachagua wondered why the CS had not arrested those he claimed planned to cause violence.
“Murkomen argues that he has intelligence reports that goons were being organized to commit crimes. Interesting! What has he done about it? If he is aware of their plans, why can’t he stop them? Is he unwilling to stop them or he lacks capacity or what does he want ordinary Kenyans to do if he is crying as the CS for Interior?”
Nairobi Senator, Edwin Sifuna, and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, who are allied to the Linda Mwananchi wing of ODM paty, also maintained a low profile on Thursday.
On Wednesday, Sifuna said they had postponed their scheduled visit to Kisii tomorrow in honor of the fallen Gen Z.
Babu also only posted on social media about memories of June 25, 2024.
“Outside Parliament, our young people were protesting. They had flags and bottles of water in their hands... Minutes later, we could hear gunfire. People were being shot... This is one of the most painful days of my political career.”
Similarly, Jubilee Deputy Leader Fred Matiang’i and Democratic Party Leader, Justin Muturi did not join the processions.
However, leaders Kalonzo Musyoka (Wiper), Martha Karua (PLP), Eugene Wamalwa (DAP-K), Siaya Governor James Orengo and former Chief Justice, David Maraga of UGM were on the streets.
The leaders marched with the families who lost their loved ones, activists and other young people in memory of the victims of State brutality.
“We thank all Kenyans who in their own way by staying at home, praying, marching on the streets, laying flowers and lighting candles. They defied State intimidation and demonstrated that justice and accountability are so precious that they are prepared to pursue them to a degree mightier than the might of the State alone,” said Wamalwa.
They demanded justice for those killed, wounded, abducted, tortured as well as victims of enforced disappearances, insisting that there cannot be compensation without accountability.
“Today, as we marched to Parliament to lay flowers at the site where Kenyan youth were shot dead, police violently dispersed us a few metres from the precincts of Parliament. I pulled Rex Masai's mother, who was marching next to me into my vehicle as other mothers and victims found refuge in the few cars on site,” said Maraga.
“We drove away as police men pursued us. We were guilty of one thing: peaceful demonstration and picketing as allowed by our Constitution in remembrance of these young heroes. As a people, we shall not relent until we deliver justice and accountability for the victims."
Kalonzo stated that the young men who were shot carried no weapons but only the Constitution, flags and hope for a better Kenya.
“Kenya is witnessing something powerful today, a generation united by memory, courage and hope,” he said.