A section of youth from Kisumu County and the Nyanza region have withdrawn from the much-anticipated June 25 protests meant to commemorate those who lost their lives during last year's demonstrations.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, the youth stated that while the protests were initially intended to be peaceful, they have allegedly been hijacked by individuals attempting to incite chaos, and they are dissociating themselves from such acts.
"It has come to our attention that the noble cause that started with a clear agenda of agitating for the youth has been hijacked by the bloodthirsty politicians and the commercialised activists that want to bring anarchy to our country," one of the youths said.
"As Kisumu County youths, as Nyanza Youths, we are saying that we are refraining from tomorrow's protests; we are not part of it and are requesting all other youths from Kisumu to do the same because whatever they have planned is not a protest but a civil coup," the youths continued.
The youths have urged their mates in the county to stay at home and continue with their daily economic activities and stay away from the streets.
They are of the opinion that certain politicians and activists are attempting to exploit the youth's frustrations to advance their own personal agendas.
Another Youth Representative of Kondele Ward reiterated these sentiments and asked all Gen Zs, not just from Kisumu Count,y but from the entire country, to choose peace and forfeit the protests.
According to the representative, the region has suffered a lot of loss due to previous demonstrations and deserves a rest from chaos, which they believe will be witnessed on Wednesday.
The call by the youth comes after The Standard publication exposed an inside plan to sabotage the protests, cause chaos, and even kill some of the protestors who will show up on the streets on June 25.
In the exposé, The Standard accused several social media influencers of planning to orchestrate chaos during the protests through various strategies such as the mobilisation of goons and the generation of propaganda via digital media.
Meanwhile, other leaders like Embakasi East MP Babu Owino have urged Gen Zs to continue with the planned protests. Babu has encouraged the youths not to relent and champion for their rights.
Youths have planned to hold protests on June 25 in honour of those who lost their lives in last year's 'Occupy Parliament' protests. The youths are set to lay flowers for the fallen Gen Z, then proceed to the state house to demand justice over the continued cases of police brutality.
