Eugene Wamalwa, leader of the Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K), has called on the government to stop intimidating families of victims from the 2024 anti-government protests. He urges authorities to allow Kenyans to honor those who lost their lives peacefully.
After meeting with victim families as part of the United Alternative Government, Wamalwa criticized threats from high-ranking officials ahead of memorial activities marking two years since the protests. “These families are still grieving. Offering them money while issuing threats is unacceptable,” he stated.
He emphasized that families should be free to commemorate their loved ones without fear of intimidation. The upcoming memorials follow the nationwide protests against a finance bill that resulted in tragic confrontations, raising concerns over police conduct.
Wamalwa spent Father’s Day with families impacted by the protests, highlighting the need for justice and support for those who lost loved ones, including Rex Masai, a key figure in the demonstrations. “They deserve not only condolences but justice,” he asserted.
He also encouraged police to ensure safety during memorials rather than suppress them, warning against a repeat of past violence. Wamalwa accused the government of allowing criminal groups to disrupt peaceful protests, coining the term “goonvernment” to describe the troubling alliance between authorities and thugs.
While the government denies these allegations, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has stressed the importance of peaceful assembly and respect for others’ rights during protests.
As the anniversary of the protests approaches, families, civil society groups, and opposition leaders are gearing up for memorial events, continuing to seek accountability for the violence and loss experienced. Human rights organizations are calling for independent investigations into the excessive use of force during those demonstrations, as families still seek justice nearly a year later.
