In a powerful gesture of remembrance, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka laid flowers at the razor-wire barricades surrounding Kenya’s Parliament today. The quiet act was meant to honour the victims of last year’s June 25 protests—and to call out the growing divide between government and citizens.
Highlights
- Kalonzo placed flowers and knelt in prayer outside Parliament’s razor-wire fence.
- The act honoured lives lost during the 2024 anti-Finance Bill protests.
- Police maintained heavy security but did not interrupt the tribute.
- Opposition figures used the moment to urge justice and reflection.
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Kalonzo Musyoka arrived early outside the barricaded Parliament grounds. As Parliament Road remained sealed under tight police watch, he and several opposition leaders approached the razor wire that now rings the National Assembly. There, he laid a simple bouquet of white flowers—a symbol of peace, remembrance, and resistance.
Kalonzo then knelt, bowed his head, and observed a moment of silence. Around him, police watched, but the moment unfolded peacefully. Onlookers filmed and cheered quietly, recognising the gravity of the tribute.
The act was a tribute to young Kenyans who died during last year’s protests against the Finance Bill. Kalonzo stated the country owed them justice and truth, and urged the government to recognise June 25 as a national day of reflection.
“These young people stood up when many remained silent. They should never be forgotten,” he said.
Today’s protest anniversary saw Parliament and surrounding areas barricaded with metal rails, razor wire, and riot police. The state’s defensive posture, however, didn’t stop civic action from unfolding beyond the barricades. Kalonzo’s floral tribute was peaceful, symbolic, and deeply emotional—marking a contrast to the militarised backdrop
Opposition leaders accompanying Kalonzo called for an independent inquiry into protest deaths, echoing widespread youth demands for accountability, justice, and constitutional integrity. They stressed that peaceful protest is not a threat—but a right.
Sometimes, silence says more than a thousand chants. Kalonzo’s quiet act of tribute outside Parliament may be one of this protest’s most powerful moments yet.
