Raila Calls for Peaceful Protests as Kenya Braces for Gen Z Demonstrations

ODM leader emphasizes constitutional rights while urging restraint ahead of Wednesday’s planned demonstrations

MOMBASA – Opposition leader Raila Odinga has urged Kenyan youth to conduct themselves peacefully during planned nationwide protests on Wednesday, June 25, marking his first public statement on demonstrations that have generated significant national concern.

Speaking in Mombasa on Tuesday afternoon, the ODM party leader acknowledged the constitutional right to protest while emphasizing the importance of lawful conduct during the Gen Z-led demonstrations.

“Article 37 of the Constitution guarantees Kenyans the right to assemble, demonstrate, and present petitions to authorities,” Odinga stated. “But this does not give anyone the right to engage in lawlessness or destroy public and private property.”

The veteran politician’s remarks represent a notable shift in tone from his previous positions on protests, where he had maintained that Kenyans do not require police permission to demonstrate.

His Tuesday comments placed greater emphasis on organization, discipline, and adherence to legal frameworks.
“Kenyans who are going to demonstrate tomorrow should follow the law and avoid actions that may put them at loggerheads with law enforcement officers,” Odinga cautioned, warning that violent conduct or property destruction could place demonstrators “on the wrong side of the law.”
The planned protests have created a charged political atmosphere, with various stakeholders weighing in on the demonstrations organized by the youth-led Gen Z movement. The Catholic Bishops of Kenya issued a pastoral letter earlier Tuesday, calling on the government to listen to young people’s concerns rather than suppress them.
“Young people deserve listening and support, not suppression,” the bishops declared, while condemning excessive force by security agencies and citing instances of harassment, abductions, and killings during previous protests.
President William Ruto has taken a firm stance in support of law enforcement, warning against attempts to destabilize the country. Speaking at State House earlier this week, Ruto assured police of government backing in maintaining public order.
“Without peace, without security, without stability—we don’t have a nation,” the President stated. “Anyone seeking to intimidate our security agencies is doing the wrong thing.”
The President emphasized that security agencies have full government support to act decisively against those attempting to incite violence or engage in unlawful conduct during the demonstrations.
As Kenya prepares for Wednesday’s protests, the contrasting messages from political leaders reflect the delicate balance between constitutional rights and public order. While Odinga’s call for peaceful demonstration aligns with constitutional provisions, his emphasis on legal compliance marks a departure from his historically more confrontational stance on protests.
The Gen Z movement, which has mobilized youth across the country through social media platforms, has yet to respond publicly to Odinga’s Tuesday remarks. The demonstrations are expected to take place in major urban centers, with authorities preparing security measures to maintain order.
The protests come at a time of heightened political tensions, with young Kenyans increasingly vocal about governance issues and economic challenges facing the country. How Wednesday’s demonstrations unfold will likely influence the ongoing dialogue between Kenya’s youth and political establishment.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​