Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura made the clarification today, emphasizing continuity of economic activities and warning against any attempts to disrupt normalcy.

“June 25 will be a normal working day. There is no holiday declaration and all Kenyans have been asked to report to their working places. Politicians planning to take advantage of the Gen Z commemoration to cause chaos have been put on notice,” Mwaura stated.

He added that the government has put in enough mechanisms to protect businesses across the country and maintain law and order.

The clarification comes ahead of planned peaceful marches and vigils marking the second anniversary of the 2024 Gen Z-led protests against the Finance Bill, which turned deadly with dozens of deaths and injuries. Similar commemorations occurred in 2025.

Organizers, including families of victims, activists, and opposition leaders, have notified police of intentions to hold marches to Parliament to demand justice, compensation, and accountability for those killed.Siaya Governor James Orengo has called for the day to be observed as a public holiday.

“Mark your calendars: June 25th will be observed as a Public Holiday. No work, no school!” Orengo declared.

He invited Kenyans to participate: “We invite all Kenyans, mothers, fathers, siblings and friends to march to Parliament to demand justice and lay flowers where our children’s lives were cruelly taken.” Parallel vigils are planned across all 47 counties.

President William Ruto has reinforced the government’s position on normal operations.

“Children will go to school because it is their right, workers will go to work, and businesses will open their businesses so that we grow our economy,” Ruto said.

“We must never allow things that take Kenya backwards… We will defend the rights of everybody because we are a country that believes in order, we are a civilised country, an organised society that believes in the rule of law.”

He warned against mobilization for destruction of property or chaos.

The government has assured that peaceful assemblies will be facilitated under the Constitution while security agencies remain vigilant against violence or infiltration by those seeking political mileage ahead of the 2027 elections.

Police have set conditions for any processions to ensure they remain peaceful and have engaged organizers accordingly. A Sh2 billion compensation framework for protest victims has been announced in coordination with relevant bodies.

Businesses, schools, and public services are expected to operate normally on June 25.

The government has stressed its commitment to protecting lives, property, and economic stability while upholding citizens’ rights to peaceful expression and remembrance.

As tensions build, authorities have reiterated that any attempts to incite unrest or exploit the commemorations for chaos will not be tolerated. Kenyans are urged to prioritize peace, productivity, and the rule of law as the nation marks this sensitive date.

Further updates on security arrangements are expected in the coming days.

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Speaking during the funeral of Zipporah Kosgey, wife of former Tinderet MP Henry Kosgey, in Kipkoror Village, Nandi Hills Constituency, Murkomen said security agencies would not tolerate criminal activities disguised as peaceful protests.

The CS accused some politicians of attempting to exploit the planned demonstrations for political gain after failing to rally opposition against the Finance Bill.

“Some politicians who failed to find fault with this year’s Finance Bill, just want to cause chaos next week. These people are misusing other people’s children, yet neither they nor their children turn up in those demonstrations. They pay others to do it for them,” Murkomen said.

His remarks come amid growing anticipation over planned protests by youth groups commemorating last year’s nationwide anti-government demonstrations that were largely driven by Gen Z activists.

While acknowledging the constitutional right to assemble and demonstrate, Murkomen cautioned that the freedom does not extend to criminal conduct.

“The Constitution under Article 37 guarantees every Kenyan the right to protest and assemble peacefully, but that right does not cover criminal activities,” he said.

He warned that law enforcement officers would firmly deal with anyone found engaging in violence, destruction of public property or attacks on innocent citizens.

“Those who will burn police stations, loot, destroy government property and attack law-abiding citizens will be met with the full force of the law,” Murkomen stated.

The Interior CS further dismissed any notion that the government’s ongoing compensation programme for victims affected during previous protests should be interpreted as tolerance for lawlessness.

According to Murkomen, compensation efforts are aimed at addressing losses suffered by victims and should not be viewed as an opportunity for criminal elements to repeat acts of vandalism and looting.

He maintained that security agencies have been placed on high alert ahead of the planned demonstrations and reiterated the government’s commitment to protecting lives and property while safeguarding constitutional freedoms.

The CS urged young people to avoid being manipulated into participating in violent activities and instead exercise their rights within the confines of the law.

His comments are expected to fuel debate over the planned anniversary protests, which organizers say are intended to honour those who lost their lives and demand greater accountability from the government.

As the country prepares for the demonstrations, authorities have reiterated that peaceful protesters will be protected, but warned that anyone found engaging in criminal acts will face legal consequences.

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Justice Prof. (Dr.) Nixon Sifuna, sitting in Nairobi, ruled on Tuesday that the request for a blanket injunction against the Daily Nation amounted to an attempt to impose a “rolling gag order” on the press and failed to meet the strict legal threshold required in defamation cases.

“This Court is not satisfied that the Plaintiff has established a sound enough and legally sufficient enough basis for a grant of the injunctive orders sought in this Motion. The Motion is therefore for dismissal,” Justice Sifuna held in a ruling delivered on September 30, 2025.

Governor Sakaja had filed a libel suit against NMG, journalist Evans Habii, and reporter Nyaboge Kiage over a June 19, 2025 Daily Nation front-page story titled “How Chaos Was Planned.

” The article, which carried his photograph and attributed statements, linked him to goons accused of attacking protesters in Nairobi.

In his motion filed the same day, Sakaja sought interim orders restraining NMG from publishing or disseminating any further stories suggesting he organized, planned, or funded the violence.

He argued that without such orders, the defendants might publish similar allegations during anniversaries of the protests.

The defendants opposed the motion, insisting that granting such injunctions would violate press freedom guaranteed under Article 34 of the Constitution.

Justice Sifuna stressed that courts must balance two constitutional imperatives in defamation cases, press freedom and an individual’s right to reputation, but that restrictions on the mainstream media should only be issued “sparingly and in exceptional circumstances.”

“Pre-trial injunctions against the mainstream media platforms ought to be issued very sparingly and only in exceptional and most deserving circumstances,” the judge noted.

He further cautioned against issuing speculative or anticipatory gag orders.

“In the pre-trial period, a rolling gag order such as the one the Plaintiff is seeking in this Motion, is most undesirable. At its worst, such an injunction can in its terms be rather speculative, hypothetical and remote,” He said

The court held that Sakaja had failed to demonstrate evidence of any imminent or immediate threat of another defamatory publication, adding that any fresh defamatory claim could still be remedied through damages.

“The higher the privilege, the higher the responsibility and scrutiny… Courts should refrain from the mere gagging of the media and silencing of journalists. Press freedom and journalistic expression is a necessary evil,” Justice Sifuna said

The motion was dismissed with no order as to costs.

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