Media personality Janet Mbugua has questioned the significance of Kenya’s 2026 Madaraka Day celebrations, arguing that true freedom cannot exist while families continue to mourn murdered women and search desperately for missing children.
As government officials led national celebrations in Wajir County on June 1, Mbugua joined hundreds of activists, human rights defenders, and affected families in Nairobi’s Central Business District for a peaceful demonstration highlighting what they described as a growing human rights crisis.
The former television anchor used the national holiday to challenge the country’s understanding of freedom, saying the realities facing many Kenyans sharply contrast with the celebratory mood displayed during the official state event.
In a message shared on her social media platforms, Mbugua drew a powerful comparison between the festivities in Wajir and the pain being experienced by families affected by femicide and child disappearances.
“While the government celebrated 63 years of self-rule in Wajir, we were in the streets with coffins for the women stolen from us, toys for the children we are still searching for and tears we have been carrying for too long,” she said.
Her remarks quickly resonated online, with many Kenyans echoing concerns about public safety, accountability, and the country’s response to cases involving missing children and violence against women.
Mbugua’s comments came as activists gathered in Nairobi to participate in a memorial sit-down protest aimed at honoring victims of femicide, child killings, and unresolved disappearances.
Participants assembled dressed in white T-shirts, carrying flowers, candles, toys, and symbolic coffins representing lives lost and children who have yet to be found. The event served both as a memorial and a call to action, with organizers demanding stronger government intervention to address the crises.
At the heart of Mbugua’s message was a question about whether the ideals celebrated on Madaraka Day still hold meaning for grieving families.
“Madaraka is supposed to mean freedom. We are still waiting for it to mean that for everyone,” she stated.
Madaraka Day commemorates Kenya’s attainment of internal self-rule in 1963 and is traditionally celebrated as a symbol of freedom, independence, and national progress.
Mbugua also renewed calls for action against femicide, describing violence against women as a national emergency that requires immediate and coordinated intervention.
Throughout the gathering, demonstrators carried placards demanding accountability, justice, and improved safety measures for vulnerable groups. Others displayed photographs of victims and messages calling on leaders to prioritize the protection of women and children.
Organizers of the event also presented a list of demands aimed at strengthening child protection systems, improving responses to gender-based violence, and ensuring greater accountability in cases involving disappearances and violent crimes.
Mbugua has consistently used her platform to advocate for women’s rights, child protection, and social justice issues.
