Clergy seek healing as Kenya marks Gen Z protest milestone

By Steve Sabai,

Faith leaders in Kenya have issued a solemn appeal for justice, accountability and national healing as the country prepares to mark the second anniversary of the 25 June 2024 Gen Z protests, a defining and painful moment that left scores of young lives lost, others injured, and families still searching for closure.

While addressing the media on Tuesday, the Inter-Religious Council of Kenya (IRCK) described the June 2024 demonstrations as a deeply sorrowful chapter in the nation’s history, calling upon Kenyans to pause in remembrance and honour the sacred memory of those who perished while seeking justice, dignity and a more accountable society.

The council observed that even two years later, many families continue to walk through valleys of grief, uncertainty and unanswered questions, still awaiting truth and closure over the fate of their loved ones. The protests, it noted, shook the moral conscience of the nation and drew global attention to Kenya’s democratic journey.

“These were not nameless figures. They were our children, our students, our neighbours and our fellow worshippers, lives created in the image of God whose journeys were cut short while exercising a constitutional right,” the council said.

According to figures referenced in the address, at least 60 lives were lost during the unrest, while many others were injured, allegedly abducted or remain missing.

The religious leaders stressed that the anniversary should be marked not only with remembrance but with deep national reflection, repentance where necessary and a collective turning toward justice, peace and reconciliation.

They called on the nation to uphold the sanctity of life as a divine trust. IRCK further called for independent, transparent and credible investigations into all deaths and disappearances linked to the protests, emphasizing that truth, justice and accountability are essential foundations for healing and restoration.

While acknowledging government efforts to provide compensation to affected families, the council noted that material support alone cannot restore broken hearts nor replace the lives lost. True healing, it said, must be accompanied by justice.

“Accountability and healing are not opposing paths. They are intertwined pillars upon which national reconciliation must stand if we are to be a people at peace with one another,” the leaders observed.

The council further called for calm, restraint and peace during the anniversary period, urging citizens to exercise their constitutional freedoms responsibly and peacefully. They also appealed to security agencies to act with justice, mercy and respect for human dignity, upholding the rule of law without fear or favour.

With memories of the protests still fresh in the hearts of many, the leaders cautioned against any actions that could reopen old wounds or lead the nation into renewed sorrow and loss.

Beyond commemoration, IRCK urged leaders across all sectors to heed the cries of the youth, whose frustrations over governance, economic hardship and the rising cost of living were central to the 2024 unrest. They described this as a moral call to leadership and stewardship.

The council emphasized that lasting peace can only be built through sincere dialogue, servant leadership and inclusive governance that reflects justice, fairness and compassion for all citizens.

It reaffirmed its readiness to serve as a bridge of reconciliation, facilitating dialogue between government, youth, civil society and all stakeholders in pursuit of national unity and healing.

As 25 June draws near, the council’s message remains one of solemn reflection and moral responsibility, that the lives lost are not forgotten before God or nation, that grieving families remain in collective prayer and support, and that the pursuit of justice remains a sacred duty.

For many bereaved families, the anniversary is not merely a date on the calendar but a reminder of broken dreams, interrupted destinies and wounds that time alone cannot heal.

Ultimately, the faith leaders concluded that the highest tribute to those who departed this life is a nation that walks humbly in justice, peace, mercy and the dignity of all humankind.