NAIROBI, Kenya—Religious leaders have appealed for calm, restraint and constructive dialogue as Kenyans prepare to commemorate the first anniversary of the June 25 anti-government protests that shook the country and sparked a national conversation on governance, accountability and the cost of living.
The appeal was made by the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) and the Inter-Religious Council of Kenya (IRCK), who urged all stakeholders to uphold peace, protect human life and respect constitutional freedoms during the planned commemorative activities.
Speaking during the Catholic Bishops’ State of the Nation address in Nairobi, KCCB Chairperson Archbishop Maurice Muhatia called on both the government and citizens to prioritise the sanctity of life as the country reflects on the events that unfolded last year.
“We call for the respect and dignity of human life. Whoever takes part in demonstrations must bear in mind the critical importance of the dignity of human life that must be respected,” said Archbishop Muhatia.
The clergy urged those participating in the commemorations to conduct themselves peacefully and respect both public and private property.
“The respect for private property or public property is part of what we are saying—respect for human life,” he added.
The church leaders further called on the government to listen to the concerns being raised by Kenyans and pursue meaningful engagement as a way of addressing longstanding national challenges.
They emphasized that dialogue remains the most effective avenue for resolving differences and fostering national cohesion.
The June 25 protests, largely driven by young Kenyans, emerged as one of the most significant civic movements in recent years, bringing thousands to the streets to voice concerns over governance, taxation, economic hardships and public accountability. The demonstrations left a lasting impact on the country’s political landscape and continue to shape public discourse.
As the country prepares to mark the anniversary, Archbishop Muhatia urged political leaders across the divide to engage in sincere conversations aimed at finding lasting solutions to the issues facing citizens.
The bishops also raised concerns over what they described as a worrying resurgence of attacks by criminal gangs targeting places of worship.
“We call upon the Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja to conduct investigations and arrest all those involved together with their sponsors,” said Archbishop Anthony Muheria.
Separately, the Inter-Religious Council of Kenya called on the government to uphold constitutional rights, including freedoms of expression, association and peaceful assembly.
The council reiterated its willingness to facilitate dialogue between different stakeholders should the need arise, noting that faith leaders have a responsibility to promote peace and national unity during periods of heightened public tension.
The religious leaders also expressed solidarity with families who lost loved ones during last year’s protests, assuring them that the church stands with them in their pursuit of justice, truth and healing.
The council further supported calls for transparent and fair compensation for families affected by the events surrounding the demonstrations.
With commemorative activities expected in different parts of the country, the clergy urged both citizens and security agencies to exercise restraint and avoid actions that could lead to confrontation.
Their message was clear: Kenya’s future lies not in conflict, but in dialogue, mutual respect and a collective commitment to addressing the concerns of citizens while safeguarding peace and national unity.
