NAIROBI, Kenya – A haunting and defiant message posted online by a young Kenyan protester has gripped the nation on the eve of the highly anticipated June 25 demonstrations, marking the anniversary of last year’s deadly Gen Z uprising.
An X user going by the name Eduhmaks — believed to be Edwin Makana, a 26-year-old mechanical engineer and DJ — posted a personal eulogy titled “In Loving Memory: Makana Edwin (10/11/1998 – 25/06/2025)”, prompting an outpouring of emotion online.
“In case they shoot me tomorrow, read this loud to my mom and dad and tell them I did my best,” the post reads.
The chilling note, written in the style of a tribute, reflects the growing sense of fear and foreboding among Kenya’s youth ahead of the protests.
The nationwide demonstrations, set for Wednesday, will commemorate the scores of young lives lost during last year’s anti-finance bill protests, where police crackdowns turned deadly.
In the fictional yet emotionally charged eulogy, Makana is portrayed as “the fallen flame of a rising generation”, remembered not only for his profession and passion but for his courage to speak out in the face of state repression.
“He refused to be silenced in the face of corruption, tyranny, and hopelessness… Edwin walked into history. Not with violence, but with purpose,” reads the tribute.
Though not confirmed dead, the message is being interpreted by many as a symbolic act — a preemptive farewell, a protest against state violence, and a rallying cry for justice.
In case they shoot me tomorrow, read this loud to my mom and dad and tell them I did my best. #OccupyStatehouse
A Symbol of Defiance
Makana’s post has gone viral, with thousands of Kenyans reposting the eulogy under the hashtag #RestInPowerEdwin, which is now trending across the country.
“He lives in every chant on the streets, every mixtape still spinning, every young person now wide awake,” the message continues.
Many Gen Z Kenyans say the post captures their generation’s sense of betrayal, anger, and determination to fight for a more just and equitable nation.
Last year’s protests left over 60 people dead, according to human rights groups, though the official government toll remains lower.
The victims were mostly young, unarmed demonstrators killed during confrontations with police. A year on, families continue to demand accountability.
Tensions Rise Ahead of Wednesday’s Protest
Security has been tightened in major towns ahead of the June 25 anniversary march, with Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen warning that the government will not tolerate any form of chaos.
Protest organizers, however, insist the demonstrations will be peaceful and focused on honoring those who died in 2024.
The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops, opposition leaders, and civil society groups have all voiced support for the youth’s right to demonstrate peacefully, while urging restraint from both protesters and security agencies.
“We Are Still in Solidarity”
Makana’s message closes with a promise from the youth he represents:
“We will carry his torch. We will echo his cry. We will take back the country he loved so much… For this, we promise you Edwin, we are still in solidarity.”
Whether Makana intended the post as art, protest poetry, or a grim farewell, one thing is certain — his words have struck a chord with a generation determined not to forget, not to give up, and not to be silenced.
