President William Ruto addressing the National Productivity and Performance Conference at the Kenya School of Government in Lower Kabete, Nairobi, June 19, 2026. /PCS
President William Ruto has warned against any form of illegal activity during next week's June 25 memorial march organised to honour victims of the 2024 Gen Z-led anti-government protests.
Speaking on Friday during the National Productivity and Performance Conference at the Kenya School of Government (KSG) in Lower Kabete, Nairobi, the President said participants would not be allowed to violate the rights of other Kenyans, disrupt economic activity or engage in the destruction of property.
"The one thing that is not going to happen is that people will be mobilised to destroy property or to cause chaos or mayhem. That will not happen," Ruto said.
The June 25 memorial has been organised by families, relatives and friends of those killed during the anti-government demonstrations that culminated in protesters breaching Parliament grounds on June 25, 2024, as they opposed the Finance Bill, 2024.
Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) placed the death toll from the protests at 60.
The memorial plans have since attracted support from civil society groups, human rights activists and members of the opposition, who have formally notified Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja of the planned procession.
Among prominent figures backing the event are former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga, Martha Karua, Siaya Governor James Orengo and Senior Counsel Gitobu Imanyara.
Organisers intend to march to Parliament Buildings, lay flowers at locations where protesters were shot and present a memorandum demanding justice for victims and an end to police brutality.
They have also called on Kenyans to observe a nationwide stay-away, urging parents to keep children away from school and workers to remain at home as a mark of remembrance.
Ruto, however, dismissed the proposal, insisting that normal activities would continue across the country uninterrupted.
"Children will go to school because it's their right to go to school. Workers will go to work because that's how we raise the productivity of our nation. And businessmen will go open their businesses because that's how we grow our economy. And farmers too, and everybody," he said.
The planned memorial comes amid heightened concerns over possible violence following previous incidents in which suspected hired gangs infiltrated demonstrations and disrupted otherwise peaceful gatherings.
During last year's anniversary commemorations, groups of club-wielding men riding motorcycles were seen attacking protesters and journalists, at times in full view of police officers, triggering accusations of law enforcement inaction and complicity.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has recently warned about politicians allegedly hiring criminal gangs to cause chaos during public gatherings and political events.
Despite assurances from security agencies, concerns remain that organised groups could once again infiltrate the June 25 procession.
Last week, Inspector General Kanja ordered a nationwide crackdown on suspected criminal gangs and politically sponsored goons following a rise in politically linked violence, including an attack by armed youths at All Saints Cathedral in Nairobi.
The security operation is expected to continue in the days leading up to the memorial as authorities seek to prevent any disruption during the planned commemorations.
