Orange Democratic Leader Raila Odinga has reiterated his stance on the ongoing June 25th demonstrations, urging the protesters to uphold peace while demonstrating.
Speaking on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, in Dabaso, Kilifi County, during the burial of Governor Gideon Mung’aro’s father, the ODM leader acknowledged that the Gen Z-led protests were lawful.
He urged the protesters to be peaceful while clamouring for their rights as enshrined in the constitution.
Protesters on the streets
“We are here, and there are other Kenyans on the streets as we speak. It is their right. Everyone has a right to air their opinions and demonstrate when they feel things are not going right. It’s in our constitution, but it must be done in a peaceful manner,” he stated.
While referencing the law enforcers’ response to their anti-government protest a couple of years ago, Raila apportioned blame to the officers, faulting their conduct as a reason why many protests in the country tend to turn chaotic and violent.
“We used to hold demonstrations two years ago, and we said we wanted to engage in them peacefully, but we were met with tear gas wherever we stepped out. Then, when the youth see this, they begin throwing stones. We need to outlive such behaviour,” he added.
“We want to put this behind us. In Europe and America, there are demonstrations every now and then and they are done in an orderly manner. They give notice to the police on how they will conduct themselves,” he added.
Raila, Ruto in Kilifi
“We want to have laws so that demonstrations do not bring chaos, but because here in Kenya, we always have people beaten up and killed, it’s why we have problems during the demonstrations,” he added.
Raila made the sentiments while accompanying President William Ruto for the burial of Kilifi Governor’s father, Mzee Baya Mung’aro.
Raila and Ruto were joined by Mombasa politicians, including Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya and his Mining and Blue Economy counterpart, Hassan Joho.
Also present were area governor Absduswamad Nassir, his Homa Bay counterpart Gladys Wanga, Taita Taveta governor, and other deputy governors from across the counties.
His sentiments come after his ODM party, on Monday, June 23, 2025, issued a stirring message of support to the youth, urging citizens to uphold peace, unity, and the right to demonstrate.
“As we draw close to the anniversary of the Gen Z protests, we urge Kenyans of goodwill to uphold national unity and ignore those who seek to divide us,” the statement read.
“We are committed to peaceful action and democracy, not to joining the government. Neither has our position changed.”
