KISUMU,24th June 2026 -Residents from various estates in Kisumu on Wednesday took to the streets waving white handkerchiefs and carrying placards inscribed with messages of peace, urging young people to keep off the planned 25th June Gen Z anniversary demonstrations and instead embrace stability and constructive dialogue.
The peaceful protests and public barazas, which drew residents from Kondele, Manyatta, Mamboleo, Migosi, and Nyalenda, came barely a day before the scheduled Thursday demonstrations.
The residents’ appeal signals a growing fatigue with street protests that have historically left trails of destruction and grief in Kisumu.
Speaking in Mamboleo, Kajulu Ward Member of the County Assembly Benson Adega, emphasized that Kisumu had enjoyed relative calm that should not be compromised for politically inclined demonstrations.
“The developments currently being witnessed in this region and beyond Kisumu are a result of the peaceful atmosphere we have enjoyed since our late party leader shook hands with President Ruto. We cannot compromise on that,” Adega stated.
The MCA praised the broad-based government arrangement, noting that it had facilitated development projects in Kisumu and the larger Nyanza region.
He cited affordable housing programmes, road construction, and healthcare investments as tangible gains residents were enjoying under the Ruto-led administration.
According to Adega, the ongoing construction of the Mamboleo-Miwani-Chemelil-Muhoroni road stands as evidence of the government’s commitment to improving infrastructure in the region.
At the Kondele Roundabout, hundreds of women gathered in a powerful show of solidarity, appealing to young people to give the Thursday protests a wide berth.
The mothers, many of whom are traders, expressed deep concern over the safety of their children, particularly the school-going kids who could be caught up in potential violence.
“As mothers, we do not want to see our sons and daughters on the streets because these politically facilitated protests have left many families grieving in the past,” said Perez Osata, a trader in Kondele.
Davis Orege, another resident, recounted painful losses from previous demonstrations, that resulted in the loss of a close friend and he doesn’t wish to witness a repeat of such.
The residents also took issue with Siaya Governor James Orengo over his recent remarks on governance and political accountability, with some claiming his position could encourage more young people to participate in demonstrations.
A group calling itself ‘Kisumu Gen Zs for Change’ also came out strongly against the planned protests, lauding the transport sector for confirming they would operate normally on Thursday.
Brian Opiyo, alias Velo B, who coordinates the group, insisted that protests in the lakeside city must be denounced, encouraging business people to operate normally.
“Let us keep off those inciting us to demonstrate. They have their children in school abroad,” Opiyo said, decrying the many deaths witnessed in past demonstrations.
He argued that President William Ruto’s administration had performed far much better than his predecessor Uhuru Kenyatta in terms of uplifting the economy of Kenyans, questioning why a clique of politicians, out of selfish gains, were regrouping to incite young people to violence.
Sarah Opiyo, a women leader from Nyalenda, poignantly noted that communities in Kisumu had repeatedly suffered whenever protests erupted, with young people often paying the highest price.
“Every time there is a protest in Kisumu, it is the youth who die, yet some of the leaders who mobilize them are nowhere to be seen when families are burying their children,” she lamented.
Opiyo urged parents and community leaders to work together in promoting peace and safeguarding young people from situations that could put their lives at risk.
While organizers of the planned Thursday Gen Z anniversary protests have insisted the demonstrations would be peaceful, leaders and residents in Kisumu appealed for restraint, maintaining that peace and development should remain the region’s priority.
Moses Odiwuor added his voice to the debate, claiming there would be no more demonstrations in Kisumu.
“We have seen most of the demonstrations in this country being infiltrated by goons, being hijacked by thieves to terrorize traders and bring business to a standstill,” Odiwuor stated.
He urged young people to keep off such schemes and concentrate on building their future lives through hard work and dedication.
As the lakeside city prepares for Thursday, residents paint a clear picture of a community tired of violence and championing for peace with a firm message that young people must embrace peace and development over chaos and destruction.
“Kisumu should set the example so that we have a country where dialogue takes center stage when things need attention of the national government, not going to the streets,” stated Opiyo.
