The leaders declared the day a symbolic public holiday in honour of Generation Z protesters who lost their lives during 2024’s anti-government demonstrations.
The leaders urged citizens to stay home on that day to commemorate the young people killed during the June 25, 2024, protests, when demonstrators stormed the Parliament in opposition to the controversial Finance Bill, 2024.
Security forces opened fire during the chaos, resulting in at least five reported deaths.
Speaking during roadside rallies in Voi, Taita Taveta County, on Saturday, June 7, 2025, Kalonzo called for a national show of solidarity by staying away from work.
“I want to declare that June 25 will be a public holiday for all Kenyans in honour of our Gen Zs who were killed when they tried to submit a petition to Parliament,” Kalonzo said.
He announced that the day would henceforth be marked as “Gen Z Liberation Day” to pay tribute to the youth-led protests against the government's economic policies and tax hikes.
“June 25 will be a liberation day to commemorate the sacrifice of our Gen Zs who sought to liberate this country,” he said.
The 2024 protests were led by mostly leaderless and digitally organised Gen Z demonstrators demanding systemic reforms, jobs, accountability, and an end to what they called exploitative governance.
“Do you agree that on June 25, there will be no work—that you will stay home in honour of Gen Z? It will be a public holiday,” Kalonzo rallied the crowd.
Although opposition leaders lack the legal authority to declare a national public holiday—a mandate that lies with Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen—their call could significantly disrupt normalcy in several towns.
Similar past calls have seen major urban areas, including Nairobi, grind to a halt during protest actions led by the opposition.
