“As we remember those who died in the protests of 2024, we pray for those young souls. They should not have lost their lives, yet we cannot bring them back. It is fair to give them a fitting memorial.”
By Paschal Norbert
NAIROBI, JUNE 24, 2025 (CISA)- The Catholic Bishops of Kenya have demanded a “befitting memorial” for the young people killed during the June 25, 2024 protests, asserting that Kenya’s youth “deserve listening and support, not suppression.”
In a hard-hitting statement delivered from the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) Secretariat at Waumini House, Nairobi, and as the country approaches the first anniversary of the deadly crackdown on Gen Z-led demonstrations against the Finance Bill 2024, the bishops have instructed all Catholic churches in Kenya to offer memorial Masses on Sunday, June 29, 2025, in honour of those who died in what they described as a tragic failure of state protection and civic justice.
“It has now been one year since our young people, often referred to as Gen Z, took to the streets,” the bishops declared in their statement, explaining “By and large, the protests began as a peaceful protest against rising taxation, lack of opportunities, and what they described as a system that increasingly ignores their voices. They were expressing what many Kenyans had already felt and expressed.”
The statement, signed by the country’s Catholic bishops, comes amid growing concerns over deliberate efforts by state operatives and online propagandists to discourage commemorations of the June 25 tragedy. The bishops, however, affirmed the rightful place of youth in national discourse, describing the protests as a wake-up call to Kenya’s leadership and a reflection of civic consciousness that cannot be silenced.
“These youth-led demonstrations reminded us of the power of civic consciousness and the rightful place of young people in shaping the country’s direction,” the bishops said, noting “However, the protests soon degenerated into violent encounters and brutal use of force, leading to a huge loss of lives, especially of young people.”
Recalling their call for peaceful expression at the height of the 2024 unrest, the bishops reiterated that the Catholic Church, along with civil society actors, has sought to create space for meaningful engagement with the youth. Quoting Pope Francis of happy memory, they said: “Young people must be helped to develop their talents and responsibilities in a spirit of service to others” (Christus Vivit, 242).
The bishops strongly condemned the state’s violent response, denouncing what they described as a systemic pattern of harassment, abduction, and in some cases, extrajudicial killings of young people.
“Rather than nurturing constructive youth participation, some state agencies have chosen to suppress it. We have witnessed the harassment, abduction, and in some cases, killing of young people whose only offence was raising their voice for accountability and justice. These incidents have left families in mourning and communities in a state of fear,” stated the prelates.
With a resolute tone, the bishops declared, “The government’s primary responsibility is to protect its citizens, not to threaten, silence, or punish them. A society that instils fear in its youth for simply speaking out is a society walking away from justice. Our young people are not enemies of the State. They are citizens with valid concerns who should be heard and supported in building a better future for all.”
As a concrete response, the bishops called on all Catholic churches across Kenya to honour the lives lost with special memorial Masses on Sunday, June 29, 2025.
“As we remember those who died in the protests of 2024, we pray for those young souls. They should not have lost their lives, yet we cannot bring them back. It is fair to give them a fitting memorial.”
Appealing directly to the youth, the bishops urged restraint and peaceful conduct in any upcoming protests: “Young people, we appeal to you to avoid any violent encounters during your protests and instead demonstrate your maturity. We call on the Security agents to ensure we do not have a repeat of the protected goons, who brought violence in the recent protests. How can goons work together with the Police?”
They also called for accountability, demanding full justice for those killed and injured. “We demand justice for all those murdered and those shot, and the conviction of all the perpetrators.”
However, the bishops did not spare political actors either. They criticized those seeking to exploit the tragedy for personal gain.
“These tragedies, on the other hand, should not be exploited by political operators to gain mileage, gathering around the mourners or victims, only to deliver personal advertisements while offering no relief or solutions,” the bishops warned.
In a country where political and generational divides continue to widen, the Catholic Bishops’ statement cuts through the noise with moral clarity. It affirms the Church’s solidarity with young Kenyans, reclaims the space of faith as a refuge for justice, and issues a powerful reminder to the state and society alike: peace without justice is not peace at all.
