Summary
- Kasmuel McOure, now in the US for the Mandela Washington Fellowship, affirmed his support for the June 25 Gen Z protests.
- He remembered the events of June 2024, describing them as peaceful yet met with police violence that resulted in dozens of deaths.
- McOure encouraged youth participation and shared the anthem “Daima Mkenya” to symbolise unity.
- Wednesday’s protests mark the first anniversary and carry dual aims: commemoration and advocacy for policy change.
A year after the Gen Z-led demonstrations against the controversial Finance Bill, political activist and Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Youth League leader Kasmuel McOure has reiterated his unwavering support for Kenyan youths. Despite being in the United States, McOure declared his solidarity with the movement ahead of the upcoming June 25 protests.
Currently in the US on the prestigious Mandela Washington Fellowship, McOure took to social media on 24 June to affirm his commitment to Kenya’s youth, even from afar. “Though I am thousands of kilometres away, I stand in solidarity with you,” he said. He also extended condolences to families who tragically lost loved ones during last year’s unrest. “To the families who lost loved ones, my heart is with you. To Kenya, our motherland, we shall surely liberate you.”
McOure described the June 2024 demonstrations as the most significant he has ever participated in. He recalled how peaceful and purposeful the movement was, though met with brutal police tactics that left several young people injured or dead. “We achieved all we set out to do peacefully but the police responded with brutal force and claimed many of our own. It’s a wound that will never fully heal,” he reflected.
These protests, which initially erupted in mid-June 2024, responded to widespread anger over the Finance Bill, then labelled “punitive” and “onerous”. While government figures report 42 deaths, activist groups suggest the toll exceeded 61. Many more were injured over those tumultuous weeks.
McOure emphasised the importance of remembrance. “We must never forget the brutality Kenyan youth have suffered at the hands of those meant to protect us,” he urged. He also shared a moment of unity, performing the anthem “Daima Mkenya” by Eric Wainaina—a song sung by Gen Z demonstrators across the country during last year’s protests.
Next Wednesday, June 25, marks the one-year anniversary of the Gen Z uprising, and McOure vowed to continue supporting the movement from abroad. “A year later, I still sing this anthem, the same one we sang together in the streets, in solidarity with every young person marching or protesting tomorrow,” he wrote.
The anniversary protests carry a dual purpose: to honour those who gave their lives and to renew calls for reforms in how youth voices are heard and respected. Social media platforms are already buzzing, with young Kenyans coordinating demonstrations and sharing narratives from the frontlines of last year’s protests.
Yet there are also voices urging restraint and advocating for dialogue. Some government officials warn against a repeat of the violence and economic disruption experienced in 2024. Meanwhile, pressure groups continue their efforts to seek justice for victims and reforms in policing tactics.
As national tension swells ahead of June 25, McOure’s message is emblematic of a broader generational movement: a mix of remembrance, hope, and a push for genuine accountability. His rallying cry from the US resonates with a youthful generation demanding both respect for their sacrifices and a brighter, more inclusive democratic path for Kenya.
