My Two Cents on the June 25 Protests
On June 25, 2025, Kenyans were set to gather in remembrance of lives lost during last year’s protests. Lives cut short by the excessive use of force. That was the plan. A solemn commemoration. A national moment of reflection.
But somehow, along the way, the tone changed.
What began as a day to honour victims slowly transformed, or perhaps got hijacked, into what appeared to be an attempt to storm State House. Online, the chatter shifted dramatically. Influential voices on X (formerly Twitter) echoed calls to “Occupy State House,” with some even inciting ideas of publicly hanging “Kasongo,” a nickname now synonymous with the President.
And so we ask ourselves:
Did we achieve the original goal of commemorating the fallen?
No, we didn’t.
Did we achieve the alternate goal of “occupying State House”?
Again, no.
What Did We Really Gain?
Let’s be honest with ourselves. What did Kenyans actually walk away with?
- Kasongo is still in power
- Women were raped
- People were robbed
- Some were killed
- Others were left with lifelong injuries
One man, trying to throw back a tear gas canister, lost his hand when it exploded mid-air - Private property and livelihoods were destroyed
- Police stations and courts, symbols of justice, were burnt
- Private and public vehicles were reduced to ashes
Did the chaos get us closer to change, or further away from our constitutional ideals?
We Cannot Win with Illegitimate Means
Trying to violently remove a legitimately elected president makes us no different from those we accuse of violating the law. If we abandon the Constitution in the name of justice, then what justice are we really pursuing?
Yes, the anger is justified.
Yes, the cost of living is unbearable.
Yes, governance has its flaws.
But unless we fix the how, we will keep repeating this cycle. Protests turn to riots, riots turn to loss, and then nothing changes.
A Mirror to Ourselves
As Rev. Sammy once said, “We are all thieves minus the opportunity.”
So let’s ask ourselves:
In the small role that you have, how clean are you?
How accountable are you?
Given the opportunity, would you do better?
Would you avoid nepotism? Would you reject favours for your family or tribe?
Because what we saw were thieves, rapists, and anarchists shouting the loudest. Accusing the government of being corrupt, while mirroring the very same traits.
We saw guns stolen from police stations. And God forbid one of those guns ends up being used to rob or kill one of us.
What did the government truly lose from this?
Do we really think this taught them a lesson?
The Character of Leadership Isn’t Changed by Protests
We wanted peaceful protests.
What we got was violence.
Here’s the truth:
Protests do not change a leader’s character
Only voting can change leadership
Who Replaces Kasongo?
Let’s not be quick to remove without having a plan to replace.
- Do we elect those who are simply loud and rebellious?
- Do we support those trending for all the wrong reasons?
- Or do we choose leaders with vision, integrity, and competence?
Because change without a plan is chaos. And chaos is what we just witnessed.
So, What Was Your Role?
In this protest, we saw three forces at play:
- Those genuinely fighting for a cause
- Those paid or driven by political ambition
- A government defending its own power
Which one were you a part of?
Because if your answer is the first, then your method matters too. Your character matters. And so does your vote.
Real Power Lies in the Ballot
Instead of burning buildings, let’s burn with purpose.
Let’s use our energy, networks, and influence to mobilize, register, and vote.
That is the peaceful, constitutional, and undeniable way to bring down any government.
Because a government removed by violence will only be replaced by more violence.
But a government removed by ballots will be replaced by a mandate.
Final Thought
We have protested.
We have mourned.
We have shouted.
Now let’s plan.
Because the next time we rise, let it not be out of rage, but out of resolve.
