Media personality Willis Raburu has emerged as a prominent voice amid nationwide protests marking the first anniversary of the 2024 anti-tax demonstrations, calling on Kenyans to channel their grief and anger into a united push for accountability.
In a heartfelt post shared on his X account on Thursday, June 26, 2025, Raburu reflected on the growing unrest that has gripped the country, with doctors and rights groups reporting at least eight deaths and over 400 injuries following fresh clashes.
His message struck a chord with many navigating loss and disillusionment, as protesters continue to decry corruption, economic mismanagement, and police brutality.
“There is power in numbers. What was done—coming together, standing firm, speaking out. No matter what they say, this was not small. It was strong,” Raburu wrote. “And we must stay strong in our resolve.”
His remarks come as thousands took to the streets on June 25, 2025, while commemorating lives lost during the anti-financial bill on June 25, 2024, in Nairobi and other towns, reigniting calls for justice in the face of mounting concerns, including allegations of abductions and sexual assault during the protests.
Raburu also pointed to the staggering economic toll of poor governance, referencing misappropriated funds that could have been used to address basic public needs. “The billions looted, misplaced, or not allocated that could have built hospitals, schools, jobs, and futures,” he lamented—echoing findings from a 2024 Auditor-General’s report that flagged Ksh1.5 trillion in questionable expenditures.
Yet, it was the human toll that anchored Raburu’s message. “Above all, let us NEVER forget the most sacred number: the number of lives lost. Our brothers and sisters. Cut down for daring to dream. Killed for believing in justice. Their blood has watered the tree of change,” he wrote.
His post quickly gained traction online, with the hashtag #SiriNiNumbers trending as a unifying slogan for demonstrators calling for reform and justice. Raburu reminded Kenyans that real change is not spontaneous but sustained. “Change is never just a moment. It is a movement… a group of people refusing to forget, believing they can change—and then going out to do exactly that.”
As the country reels from fresh violence, his words resonate as both a memorial and a call to action—urging citizens to stand firm, remember the fallen, and push forward with purpose.
