NAIROBI, Kenya – As Kenya braces for large-scale Gen Z-led demonstrations on Wednesday, the Political Parties Liaison Committee (PPLC) has issued a stern warning to political actors and state agencies, urging them to uphold the Constitution and respond to public dissent with restraint and dialogue—not repression.
In a statement released Monday, the committee—comprising all registered political parties, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), and the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP)—decried the country’s worsening political climate marked by “lawlessness, premature campaigns, and increasing public frustration.”
“Young Kenyans need to be listened to, not suppressed,” said PPLC Chairperson Evans Misati. “Their calls for change are legitimate and arise from long-standing frustration with governance failures.”
Protest or Turning Point?
The planned June 25 protests mark the first anniversary of the deadly Gen Z uprising against the 2024 Finance Bill.
That wave of demonstrations, largely youth-driven, resulted in dozens of deaths and sparked national debate on taxation, police brutality, and political accountability.
The PPLC said the current moment requires urgent national introspection.
“These are not just protests; they are a national outcry,” the committee said. “Let us act in the best interest of our country—for the peace and respect of Kenya.”
Campaigning Violates Electoral Law
The PPLC also reprimanded both government and opposition politicians for engaging in premature 2027 campaign activity—25 months before the next General Election.
“Presidential declarations and early campaigns are not only irresponsible but illegal,” the statement read, referencing Section 67 of the Elections Act and Clause 6(h) of the Electoral Code of Conduct. “Such actions erode public trust and inflame tensions.”
The committee warned that politicians found inciting unrest or sponsoring goons could face disqualification from contesting in the next election.
Call for Police Restraint
With security forces already deployed in major cities ahead of Tuesday’s protest, the PPLC cautioned the National Police Service to exercise restraint and adhere strictly to the law.
It cited Articles 33 and 37 of the Constitution, which guarantee freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
“The use of firearms is strictly limited to situations involving grave and imminent threats,” the statement said. “Protests should not be met with brutality or intimidation.”
The committee also invoked the National Police Service Act, reminding officers that force must be proportional and accountable, and only used as a last resort.
A Plea for Humility, Not Arrogance
In a tone that balanced firmness with reconciliation, the PPLC urged the government to respond to public dissent with “understanding, reform, and humility.”
“The space for alternative or dissenting views is shrinking fast,” the statement read. “We urge all actors—political, institutional, and security—to rise above partisanship and act in Kenya’s best interest.”
With tensions mounting and Gen Z once again leading the charge, Wednesday’s protests are shaping up to be not just a commemoration of a tragic past, but potentially, a defining moment for the country’s democratic future.
