Dr Kinity Urges Global Scrutiny Of June 25 Gen Z Protests Amid Crackdown Fears

By Staff Writer

Human rights activists have called on the international community to closely monitor the planned June 25 Gen Z anniversary protests and take firm action against any human rights violations, amid growing concerns over the government’s response to the demonstrations.

The activists expressed fears that security agencies could use excessive force against protesters commemorating the 2024 anti-Finance Bill demonstrations, which left scores of young people dead, injured, or missing during nationwide unrest.

Human rights defender Dr Isaac Kinity urged foreign governments and international institutions to increase scrutiny of Kenya’s handling of the planned protests, arguing that international pressure could help deter potential abuses and safeguard the rights of demonstrators.

Kinity specifically appealed to the United States Congress to convene an emergency session to discuss what he described as the “alarming situation” facing Kenya ahead of the June 25 demonstrations, saying the planned protests represent a critical test of democracy and human rights.

He said many of the Gen Z protesters expected to participate in the demonstrations were unemployed young people opposed to the recently passed Finance Bill 2026, which has reignited public anger over economic hardships and governance concerns.

The human rights defender claimed that President William Ruto’s administration was preparing for a tough response to the protests and warned that Kenya risked sliding towards authoritarianism if citizens were denied their constitutional right to peaceful assembly.

“The USA has been known for its concern on humanity and on democracy and on the respect of human rights. The Gen Z are following all the constitutional rights and procedures of conducting a peaceful protest on 25th of June,” Kinity said.

He argued that the international community, particularly the United States, should not remain silent amid concerns over the safety of protesters and urged American lawmakers to use their influence to ensure respect for democratic freedoms in Kenya.

The U.S. Republican National Committee’s (RNC) presidential advisor alleged that the government has previously used hired groups to disrupt peaceful demonstrations before security agencies moved in against genuine protesters, citing the deadly 2024 anti-government protests triggered by the Finance Bill.

The former head of the Kenya Civil Servants Union further appealed to US President Donald Trump and members of Congress to support efforts aimed at protecting human rights and ensuring accountability for alleged abuses, including enforced disappearances and abductions reported in recent years.

“The US Congress is known for its respect of human rights and for its respect for democracy. It will be sad to see the US Congress see Kenya practice tyranny and dictatorship to its people without mentioning a word,” he said.

Kinity also called on Gen Z protesters to conduct themselves peacefully and with what he termed “maximum maturity,” saying the demonstrations carried significance beyond the concerns of young people alone and reflected broader demands for reforms across the country.

He expressed hope that no lives would be lost during the protests and urged authorities to exercise restraint, saying the demonstrations presented an opportunity for citizens to voice their concerns through lawful and peaceful means.

President Ruto has alleged that sections of the opposition were planning to sponsor the protests and praised Members of Parliament who passed the Finance Bill 2026, describing them as heroes for supporting the legislation.

Rights groups have repeatedly raised concerns over allegations of excessive force, unlawful arrests, enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings linked to the security response during and after the 2024 protests.

Those concerns were amplified in late 2024 when the United States publicly expressed alarm over a wave of reported abductions in Kenya. Then Nairobi Chargé d’Affaires Marc Dillard called for accountability and adherence to the rule of law while paying tribute to former US President Jimmy Carter.

“In the spirit of his legacy, we join the calls in Kenya for accountability and respect for rule of law. Abductions must end,” Dillard said at the time.

According to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, at least 82 people had reportedly been abducted by unidentified armed individuals following the June 2024 anti-government protests, with dozens still unaccounted for by the end of that year.

Several rights organisations, including Amnesty International, accused security agencies of involvement in the disappearances, allegations that were strongly denied by the National Police Service.

Inspector General Douglas Kanja maintained that the police were not involved in any abductions and said the Independent Policing Oversight Authority would investigate the allegations.

The Law Society of Kenya, however, argued that official denials alone were insufficient and called for decisive investigations and prosecutions against those responsible for the disappearances.