NAIROBI, Kenya Jun 22 – Religious leaders under the Evangelical Alliance of Kenya (EAK) and the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) have called for justice, accountability and national healing following an interdenominational memorial service held in honor of Kenyans who died during the Gen Z-led protests of June 2024.

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The memorial service, held at Nairobi Baptist Church on Ngong Road, brought together clergy, families of victims and members of the public to remember those who lost their lives during the demonstrations.

During the service, the names of 60 identified victims were read out and immortalized, while prayers were also offered for other Kenyans whose deaths were never documented and for those who are still reported missing.

The church leaders said the country must never return to a situation where citizens lose their lives while exercising their constitutional right to express themselves.

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“We stand in solidarity with the bereaved families, with every young person whose dreams were cut short, and with every Kenyan who continues to carry the pain and memories of that dark season in our nation,” the clergy said in a joint statement.

The religious leaders urged government officials to listen to the voices of citizens, reminding leaders that sovereignty belongs to the people as stipulated under Article One of the Constitution.

They emphasized the need for peaceful engagement, constitutionalism, rule of law and justice for victims of police brutality and unlawful killings.

According to the clergy, families who lost loved ones require more than prayers and financial support, insisting that justice and accountability remain essential for national healing.

“We therefore call for thorough, impartial and transparent accountability processes to ensure that those responsible for unlawful acts are held accountable under the law,” the statement read.

The church leaders welcomed the proposed restorative justice measures that seek to compensate victims affected during the protests but warned that compensation should not replace criminal accountability for those responsible for unlawful killings.

📰 Source: Capital FM Kenya