Kalonzo Musyoka Promises June 25 as Public Holiday If Elected President in 2027
Speaking during a public address in Kitui on Wednesday, April 22, Kalonzo said the date would be formally recognised to honour young Kenyans who lost their lives during demonstrations against the controversial Finance Bill 2024.
“I have announced that when we form government, we will make 25 June a public holiday to remember the innocent blood shed by the young Kenyans,” Kalonzo declared.
“The mother of all demonstrations will be on 25 June… we will be commemorating the day young Kenyans were killed for standing up for their country,” he added.
Kalonzo also revealed plans by opposition leaders to stage large-scale demonstrations on the same date this year, signalling a continued push to keep the memory of the protests alive in the national discourse.
The June 2024 protests marked one of the most intense periods of civil unrest in recent Kenyan history, largely driven by widespread opposition to new tax measures proposed under the Finance Bill. Young people, mobilised primarily through social media platforms, took to the streets in major towns across the country, calling for the withdrawal of the bill.
The demonstrations reached a peak on June 25, when protesters breached security barriers and entered the precincts of the National Assembly of Kenya in Nairobi. The incident became a symbolic flashpoint in the protests, highlighting the growing disconnect between citizens and lawmakers.
Witness accounts and human rights organisations reported that security forces responded with force, including the use of live ammunition in some instances. The protests resulted in multiple fatalities and injuries, sparking both local and international concern over the handling of the demonstrations.
While official figures have varied, rights groups estimated that dozens of young people were killed during the unrest, with many more sustaining injuries. The events triggered calls for investigations into alleged excessive use of force by state agencies.
At the time, President William Ruto defended the government’s position on the Finance Bill, arguing that the proposed tax measures were necessary to stabilise the country’s economy and reduce reliance on external borrowing.
Despite the backlash, Parliament proceeded to pass the bill, forwarding it for presidential assent, a move that further intensified public anger and prolonged demonstrations in several parts of the country.
Under Kenya’s Public Holidays Act, the authority to declare a public holiday rests with the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration, raising questions about the legislative and executive processes that would be required to formalise Kalonzo’s proposal.
Political analysts note that the pledge is likely to resonate with sections of the electorate, particularly younger voters who played a central role in the protests. However, they also point out that the proposal could face scrutiny over its political implications and the broader debate on how the country should commemorate contentious events.
As the 2027 election approaches, Kalonzo’s remarks signal an attempt to position himself within a narrative of reform and accountability, while appealing to a generation increasingly active in shaping Kenya’s political direction.
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Kalonzo Musyoka Promises June 25 as Public Holiday If Elected President in 2027
