NAIROBI, Kenya, Jun 24 — Former Chief Justice David Maraga has warned government officials against intimidating Kenyans planning to participate in the June 25 Gen Z memorial protests, insisting that citizens have a constitutional right to peacefully assemble and commemorate those killed during last year’s anti-government demonstrations.

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In a statement issued on the eve of the nationwide memorial marches, Maraga said the government must respect and protect the rights of protesters and refrain from any actions that could undermine the commemoration of victims of the 2024 and 2025 protests.

“Tomorrow marks two years since young Kenyans who stood up against political tyranny were killed for it. Many others were maimed. They are living scars of our brutal political system,” Maraga said.

He emphasized that the right to peaceful assembly and picketing is guaranteed under the Constitution and placed responsibility on the State to facilitate rather than obstruct the demonstrations.

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“The government is duty-bound to respect and protect it. It should not unleash goons or interfere,” he stated.

Maraga further cautioned government officials against issuing threats to citizens organizing memorial events, saying the country owed victims and their families justice rather than intimidation.

“Government officials must desist from threatening citizens who are organizing to exercise their rights and remember their departed loved ones,” he said.

The former Chief Justice renewed calls for accountability over the deaths and injuries recorded during the Gen Z protests, arguing that symbolic gestures and limited compensation efforts fall short of justice.

“Kenyans killed in 2024 and 2025 deserve justice. Accountability must be followed with appropriate compensation and permanent memorialization. Cobbling together sham compensation is not justice,” he said.

He also called for an end to alleged abductions and enforced disappearances linked to political dissent.

📰 Source: Capital FM Kenya