IRCK Calls for Justice, Healing and Peace on Second Anniversary of Gen Z Protests
Posted by EDITORIAL
IRCK marks the second anniversary of Kenya's June 2024 protests by calling for justice, accountability, peaceful demonstrations, and national dialogue while honoring victims and supporting affected families.
In Summary:
The Inter-Religious Council of Kenya (IRCK) has urged the nation to remember victims of the June 2024 and June 2025 protests, calling for justice, accountability, peaceful commemoration, and genuine national dialogue. The faith-based coalition emphasized the sanctity of human life, the need for transparent investigations into protest-related deaths and disappearances, and renewed efforts to bridge the gap between citizens and government through inclusive engagement and reconciliation.
The Inter-Religious Council of Kenya (IRCK) has called on the country to embrace justice, healing, and peaceful dialogue as Kenya marks the second anniversary of the June 2024 anti-government protests that left dozens of young people dead, injured, abducted, or missing.
In a strongly worded statement issued on behalf of faith communities across the country, the council described the events of June 25, 2024, as one of the most painful moments in Kenya's recent history. The council noted that the demonstrations reflected an unprecedented expression of civic engagement by young people seeking accountability, justice, and responsive governance.
IRCK said the nation must continue to honor the memory of those who lost their lives during the protests, citing figures from the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights indicating that at least 60 young Kenyans were killed, more than 80 abducted, while many others suffered injuries or remain unaccounted for. The council also remembered those who lost their lives during the June 25, 2025 anniversary demonstrations, warning against a recurring cycle of violence and loss.
The faith leaders emphasized that the victims were ordinary Kenyans whose lives were cut short while exercising constitutional rights guaranteed under the law. They urged the country not to allow the memories of the fallen to fade and called on citizens to stand in solidarity with grieving families who continue to seek answers and closure.
Speaking to the press earlier on today was the need for justice and accountability. While acknowledging government efforts to compensate affected families, IRCK stressed that financial support alone cannot replace the need for truth and transparency. The council called for thorough, impartial, and credible investigations into all deaths, injuries, disappearances, and alleged human rights violations linked to demonstrations since June 2024.
According to the council, accountability is essential for rebuilding public trust and achieving lasting national reconciliation. The faith leaders urged institutions responsible for oversight and law enforcement to uphold the rule of law and ensure that every Kenyan receives equal protection under the Constitution.
As Kenyans prepared to commemorate the anniversary, IRCK appealed to demonstrators, organizers, and security agencies to exercise restraint and uphold peace. The council reaffirmed that the right to assemble and demonstrate peacefully is protected by the Constitution and called on security agencies to safeguard citizens while respecting their fundamental freedoms.
The statement further encouraged citizens participating in commemorative activities to do so with dignity, sobriety, and a commitment to non-violence. The council argued that the most meaningful tribute to those who died would be a peaceful remembrance that reflects the country's desire for healing and unity.
Beyond the immediate concerns surrounding the anniversary, IRCK highlighted the need for deeper national conversations on governance, economic hardship, and citizen participation. The council observed that many of the frustrations expressed by young people during the protests remain relevant today and urged leaders at all levels to listen more attentively to the concerns of citizens.
The faith-based organization maintained that sustainable peace can only be achieved through inclusive governance, economic opportunities, and meaningful engagement between government and the public. It called on all stakeholders, including government institutions, civil society organizations, the private sector, and faith communities, to work together in addressing the challenges facing ordinary Kenyans.
IRCK also renewed its offer to serve as a neutral platform for dialogue among government, youth groups, civil society, and political actors. Drawing on its presence across communities and faith traditions, the council said it is uniquely positioned to facilitate conversations that can foster understanding and national cohesion.
The council underscored that Kenya's journey toward healing requires humility, truth-telling, and a willingness to confront past wrongs. It expressed confidence that the country can overcome its divisions if citizens and leaders commit themselves to justice, remembrance, and reconciliation.
