The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has called on the youth to turn out in large numbers for the planned commemoration of the Gen Z protestors who lost their lives during last year’s anti-government demonstrations.
The anniversary, set for Wednesday, June 25, will be marked through protests across the country in memory of the young lives lost while pushing for change.
In a statement signed by Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, the party defended its leader, Raila Odinga, against criticism from a recent The Standard headline titled Gen Z Betrayers, which suggested that Odinga's decision to collaborate with the government—alongside activist Kasmuel McOure—was a betrayal of the youth movement. ODM dismissed the label as misguided and reiterated its support for the protests.
''As we draw close to the anniversary of the Gen Z protests, we urge Kenyans of goodwill to uphold national unity and ignore those who seek to divide us. The Party has for a long time been an advocate and practitioner of peaceful protest and change, and we urge all those who will turn out to commemorate the anniversary this Wednesday to fearlessly stand on the side of freedom and democracy and the right to protest as enshrined in the constitution,'' the statement read.
Meanwhile, the party slammed the publication, which has in recent months been running blistering newspaper headlines against the government and its perceived associations, maintaining that it has a hidden agenda to force Raila into forcing the party to support the political positions of the ownership of the media outlet.
According to ODM, it was misleading and unfair for the publication to label them as betrayers, especially given the historical context of last year’s Gen Z protests. The party noted that the demonstrations were a spontaneous movement by young Kenyans demanding their rights—particularly the withdrawal of the Finance Bill 2024—and were not aligned to any political formation or leader.
ODM maintained that recognising and supporting the spirit of those protests does not amount to betrayal but rather a continued stand for constitutional freedoms.
Further, the party maintained that it is not part of the government, stating that their current partnership is only trained at ensuring the sustenance of peace and democracy, despite the condemnation.
Additionally, ODM stated that it was in bad taste for the Mombasa Road-based publication to consistently run a narrative it claimed was against its tenets as a political outfit.
''We have stated time without number that ODM is not part of the Kenya Kwanza government.. Whatever stability frameworks we enter into for the sustenance of a peaceful nation and democracy, they do not amount to joining the government. It is, therefore, in really bad taste for the Standard to consistently run this narrative, knowing it is false. The journalistic tenet of truth, honesty, and fairness cannot be sacrificed for political points,'' it added.
''The leadership of ODM and the entire party refuses to be intimidated and railroaded by partisan propaganda disguised as journalism. We particularly reject what appears to be the undeclared rules that seem to govern the Standard's coverage and treatment of the party's leader, Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga, whose sole aim is to distort the public's view of him and to force him into a political direction of the company's ownership.''
Meanwhile, the government has ruled out any form of street protests despite a wave of online mobilisation by youth planning peaceful marches in memory of Gen Z protesters who lost their lives during last year’s anti-government demonstrations.
Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura, speaking during a morning radio show on Monday, maintained that no protests would be permitted on June 25, citing the need to ensure normal functioning of the economy and public order. He stressed that those wishing to commemorate the day were free to do so from their homes.
“There will be no demonstrations on June 25, and that day will be a normal day. Anyone who wishes to commemorate it is free to do so from their home,” Mwaura stated.
