The Inter-Religious Council of Kenya (IRCK) has called for justice, healing, and peaceful commemoration as the country marks the second anniversary of the June 25, 2024 Gen Z protests emphasizing the need for Kenya to confront the painful events that claimed dozens of young lives while safeguarding national unity.
Addressing the press in Nairobi on Tuesday, the council described the June 2024 demonstrations as one of the most painful chapters in Kenya’s recent history, noting that the protests reflected young people’s demand for accountability, justice, and responsive governance.
IRCK, which comprises the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB), the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK), the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM), and the Hindu Council of Kenya (HCK), among others, stated that faith communities across the country had united to remember the victims and support bereaved families. The council warned that a nation that forgets its fallen risks losing its moral compass.
“We speak not as partisans, but as shepherds of communities across every county, every faith, and every tribe, bound by the shared conviction that human life is sacred,” the statement read.
IRCK called for thorough, impartial, and transparent accountability processes for all those killed, injured, or reported missing since the 2024 protests, stressing that justice and healing must go hand in hand.
It welcomed the government’s commitment to compensate affected families, describing the move as an important step toward restorative justice, but urged authorities to ensure the process is implemented swiftly, transparently, and with dignity.
The council further renewed its call for an independent inquiry into fatalities and disappearances linked to demonstrations since June 2024, stating that affected families deserve truth and closure, while democratic institutions must uphold the rule of law and equal protection for all citizens.
As the country prepares to mark the anniversary on June 25, IRCK appealed to demonstrators, organizers, and security agencies to exercise restraint and uphold peace.
It reminded Kenyans that Article 37 of the Constitution guarantees the right to assemble and demonstrate peacefully, and urged the National Police Service to protect citizens participating in commemorative activities.
The council encouraged those gathering to honor victims through peaceful acts such as prayers and the laying of flowers, noting that the most fitting tribute would reflect a nation committed to healing.
IRCK also called for genuine national dialogue and greater responsiveness to citizens’ concerns, particularly the economic hardships facing many Kenyans.
It urged the government, civil society, private sector, and faith communities to engage constructively, stating that meaningful dialogue remains the surest path to lasting peace and prosperity.
The council reaffirmed its willingness to act as a bridge between the government, youth, civil society, and political actors, citing its grassroots presence across the country as a unique platform for facilitating difficult conversations.
“Kenya can heal. Kenya must heal,” the council stated, adding that national healing would require humility, truth, and goodwill between citizens and their leaders.
IRCK pledged to continue serving as an independent and non-partisan voice advocating for peace, justice, dignity, and the sanctity of human life.
In June 2024, protesters gathered in Nairobi and other cities across Kenya to reject the Finance Bill 2024. In response, security forces violently suppressed the demonstrations. Internet communications used to share information about those killed and arrested were reportedly disrupted, further endangering protesters.
According to the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), 65 Kenyans were killed by police, while 60 demonstrators were abducted and disappeared. Additionally, 1,574 people were unlawfully arrested, as law enforcement indiscriminately targeted peaceful protesters with tear gas and water cannons, in violation of a temporary court order prohibiting their use during the protests.
