Kenyans living abroad have issued demands to President William Ruto’s administration after state forces responded with force to peaceful commemorations marking one year since the Gen Z-led protest movement began.
In a statement on June 25, the Kenya Diaspora Alliance-USA condemned what it called “violent repression and unconstitutional media censorship” during the June 25 memorial demonstrations across Kenya.
Protesters, many of them young and unarmed, took to the streets to honor those killed, injured, or disappeared since the youth-led uprising began last year.
Instead, they were met with teargas, riot police, and a near-blackout of live media coverage.
“When a government fires on its own people and shuts down the media, it ceases to be leadership, it becomes tyranny,” the statement read.
Kenyans Abroad Demands
The alliance, a coalition of U.S.-based Kenyan professionals and civic leaders has now issued three urgent and non-negotiable demands to the Ruto government.
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Reinstate full media freedoms, including an immediate end to the alleged signal shutdown of NTV, KTN, and Citizen TV.
Withdraw all armed security forces deployed against peaceful demonstrators.
Publicly guarantee the protection of fundamental rights, including the right to life, freedom from torture, and peaceful assembly.
The statement came amid rising global scrutiny of Kenya’s internal handling of dissent and freedom of expression.
Protesters say the Gen Z-led movement has become a symbol of democratic defiance in the face of growing state authoritarianism.
Media Censorship
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The diaspora group warned of international legal consequences if the violence and censorship persist.
“Kenya belongs to its people, not to any regime. And the people at home and abroad will not be silenced.”
With millions of Kenyans living abroad and actively participating in the country’s civic and political processes, the diaspora’s voice adds growing pressure on the Ruto administration to reconsider its approach.
As of June 26 morning, there had been no official response from State House.
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