United Opposition leaders have intensified pressure on the government to compensate victims of the 2024 Gen Z protests before the upcoming June 25, 2026 anniversary commemorations.
Speaking at the SKM Command Centre in Karen on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka led the coalition in demanding the immediate release of Ksh2 billion reportedly earmarked for compensating victims and families affected during the demonstrations.
“We want this money paid, the Ksh2 billion paid on or before June 25,” Kalonzo stated while reading a joint statement on behalf of opposition leaders.
According to the former Vice President, he is aware of plans to allocate the compensation funds through the national budget that is expected to be presented in Parliament by Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi. However, Kalonzo maintained that compensation should not be delayed any further given the suffering experienced by affected families.
He emphasized that while financial compensation cannot replace lost lives or erase the pain endured by victims, families that lost loved ones or suffered injuries during the protests deserve support and recognition from the state.
Kalonzo also questioned the proposed management of the compensation fund, noting that reports indicate the allocation would fall under the State House budget. He argued that the compensation process should instead be administered by the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) to guarantee transparency, accountability, and public confidence.
The opposition leader further condemned the recent arrest of former Chief Justice David Maraga during protests against the alleged excision of land from Nairobi National Park. Kalonzo announced that opposition leaders would continue supporting demonstrations aimed at protecting public resources and environmental conservation efforts.
The demands come as preparations for the June 25 Gen Z commemoration gather momentum across the country. The United Opposition has already confirmed its participation in the anniversary events, joining the Edwin Sifuna-led Linda Mwananchi movement, which has also pledged to commemorate the young people who lost their lives during the 2024 anti-Finance Bill protests.
Meanwhile, Siaya Governor James Orengo has echoed calls for accountability, insisting that justice for victims and their families should remain the primary focus. During a recent visit to the family of the late Rex Masai, one of the victims of the demonstrations, Orengo said affected families were demanding accountability before compensation.
The growing calls for both justice and compensation underscore the significance of the June 25 anniversary, which many view as a defining moment in Kenya’s recent political history and youth-led activism.
