By:Beatrice Mose
Political analyst Bonyo has criticized President William Ruto’s decision to undertake a development tour on the first anniversary of the June 25, 2024, Gen Z protests, saying the day should have been reserved for national reflection and solidarity with families who lost loved ones.
Speaking on the significance of the anniversary, Bonyo said the President’s decision to proceed with public development engagements reflected his administration’s view of one of Kenya’s most significant political moments.
“The developmental tour that the President took speaks a lot to how he views this day. The 127 lives were consequential, and they changed something in the political DNA of this country, and the President cannot run away from that,” Bonyo said.
His remarks came as families of victims, civil society organisations, religious leaders and thousands of Kenyans marked the anniversary through candlelight vigils, memorial services, prayers and peaceful demonstrations in honour of those who died during the anti-government protests.
Bonyo argued that the deaths of 127 people during the demonstrations remain a painful chapter in the country’s history and warranted a more solemn response from the nation’s leadership.
“When families are out there commemorating this day, his handlers ought to have advised him that perhaps this is a day to sit and reflect,” he added.
He said moments of national tragedy call for empathy from leaders, arguing that acknowledging the pain of grieving families is just as important as delivering development projects.
According to Bonyo, the anniversary presented an opportunity for the President to unite the country by recognising the lives lost and reaffirming the government’s commitment to justice, accountability and constitutional rights.
The June 25, 2024, protests, which began as demonstrations against the Finance Bill, evolved into a nationwide youth-led movement demanding greater government accountability, transparency and respect for human rights.
The protests have since been widely viewed as a defining moment in Kenya’s political landscape, reshaping civic engagement and public participation.
One year later, families of victims and human rights groups continue to demand accountability for the deaths and injuries reported during the demonstrations, with calls for independent investigations remaining central to the anniversary commemorations.
Bonyo maintained that the events of June 25 permanently changed the relationship between citizens and the State, arguing that no development agenda can erase the memory of the lives lost. He urged the country’s leaders to treat the anniversary as a day of remembrance and national reflection, saying genuine reconciliation begins with acknowledging the past and honouring those whose deaths left a lasting mark on Kenya’s democracy.