Dr Kinity: Build Monument In Parliament To Honor June 25 Gen Z Protest Victims

By Suleiman Mbatiah

A presidential hopeful has called for the construction of a monument at the Parliament Buildings to honor and remember youths who lost their lives during the June 25, 2024 protests.

Human rights activist and presidential aspirant Dr. Isaac Newton Kinity said the monument would permanently record the names of Gen Z protesters who died while demonstrating, describing them as patriots who sacrificed their lives fighting for justice.

The National Vision Party candidate also pledged that families of youths killed during the protests, as well as those injured while participating in the demonstrations, would receive compensation should he assume office as President.

“I promise that as president of Kenya I will erect a monument at the Parliament Building where the names of all the Gen Z who lost their lives fighting for Kenyans in 2024 will be written,” Dr Kinity said.

The presidential aspirant further said the monument would also recognize other patriotic Kenyans who were harmed while fighting for the country’s freedom and justice throughout history.

He noted that his administration would revisit the historical struggles of Mau Mau freedom fighters and push for compensation from Britain for those who suffered during the liberation struggle.

According to Dr Kinity, the names of Mau Mau fighters would be included alongside those of the Gen Z protesters on the proposed monument as part of preserving the country’s history.

“The old and young patriotic Kenyans who have a history of fighting for Kenyans and who were ever hurt in the struggle to free Kenyans will also be compensated,” he said.

Dr Kinity argued that the monument would serve as a national symbol to educate younger generations about patriotism and the importance of protecting the country’s democracy and freedoms.

Beyond the monument proposal, Dr Kinity warned that meaningful change in Kenya would remain elusive unless corruption is decisively eradicated from the country’s governance structures.

“Without the eradication of corruption in Kenya, the promises that are being provided by politicians in their campaigns are a practical impossibility and will never be realized,” he said.

The aspirant, who declared his presidential candidature on March 7, said his administration would prioritize the fight against corruption as the foundation for economic and social reforms.

He pledged to reduce unemployment and the cost of living by 40 percent within two years if elected, promising to resign should he fail to significantly curb corruption within the same period.

Dr Kinity also urged Kenyan youth, particularly Gen Z, to resist being manipulated by politicians during campaigns, saying many leaders exploit young people for political mobilization before abandoning them after elections.

He encouraged young Kenyans with integrity to vie for leadership positions including Members of Parliament, senators, governors and Members of County Assemblies in the 2027 elections.