Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka. Photo Courtesy FB. 
By Virginia Siebela
Opposition leaders have proclaimed 25 June a public holiday to commemorate the Generation Z protesters who died during last year’s anti-government demonstrations.
Speaking at a series of rallies in Machakos—hosted by Wiper Party boss Kalonzo Musyoka—the leaders condemned former protest allies who later aligned themselves with President William Ruto, accusing them of betraying the fallen youth. Kalonzo insisted that Raila Odinga must account for that political about-turn.
Buoyed by what he called “unstoppable” Gen Z momentum, Kalonzo vowed the opposition would unseat President Ruto in the 2027 election, framing the coming contest as “Kenya’s moment of liberation.” He added that, unlike previous races where Raila Odinga’s win was allegedly stolen, the next vote “cannot be taken away.”
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua labelled Ruto a “liar,” predicted he would serve only one term, and urged young Kenyans to register en masse as voters to guarantee his defeat.
Ex-Speaker and former Cabinet minister Justin Muturi dismissed the administration’s affordable-housing scheme as a “cash-siphoning racket” and accused Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki of bankrolling projects with corruption proceeds while pretending they empower citizens.
The rally also marked the official defection of former Machakos Town MP Victor Munyaka—once a staunch Ruto ally—to Wiper, where he plans another bid for the seat in 2027.
Among other dignitaries on the podium were DAP-Kenya leader Eugene Wamalwa, former Agriculture Minister Mithika Linturi, and Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti.
