Moses Kuria Calls for Calm Ahead of Gen Z Protest Memorial, Condemns Brutality and Use of Goons
Senior economic advisor Moses Kuria has urged peace ahead of protests commemorating victims of the 2024 Gen Z demonstrations. He condemned police brutality and the use of hired goons to disrupt protests. Kuria also criticized the government's handling of human rights and called for national stability.
Senior economic advisor to President William Ruto, Moses Kuria, has made an appeal for peace and national stability ahead of the upcoming memorial protests to honor young Kenyans who died or were injured during the 2024 demonstrations. The protests, initially driven by opposition to the controversial Finance Bill 2024, eventually evolved into a wider movement against misgovernance, drawing massive support from the youth, popularly known as Gen Z.
Speaking during a live television appearance on Sunday, June 22, 2025, Kuria expressed deep concern about the increasing tension in the country, particularly in light of planned protests. He urged all parties to reflect on the need for peace and to prioritize the well-being of ordinary Kenyans across the country. "My constituency includes businesspeople and parents who depend on peace and stability. These people look up to me," Kuria said. "Most Kenyans want to live their lives quietly.
They are not interested in political noise. I speak for them." He emphasized that Kenya remains a beautiful and promising country admired by many globally. However, he warned that internal instability and frequent confrontations risk tarnishing its image and undermining progress. "We must protect our nation. We need to have a working country first. Everything else comes later," he stated. Kuria took a firm stand against the recent acts of police brutality, notably condemning the shooting of Boniface Kariuki, a young hawker who was reportedly gunned down while selling face masks in Nairobi last week.
He described the shooting as an unjustifiable act of excessive force and expressed solidarity with the victims family. The advisor also condemned the increasing trend of deploying hired goons to infiltrate or suppress protests. He warned that using such tactics may seem effective in the short term but will eventually backfire. “It feels powerful to use goons, but the same goons can turn against you. I was part of street demonstrations during Saba Saba at the age of 19. I understand how dangerous it gets when things escalate,” he cautioned. Kuria highlighted a worrying trend in Nairobi and parts of the Mt. Kenya region, where the presence of rival gangs aligned to political sides has been growing.
He questioned why this practice seems isolated to specific areas and not others, such as Khayega in Kakamega. “It’s heartbreaking to see my community divided and deploying goons against each other. What are we turning into?” he lamented. In his critique of the government’s handling of human rights and security issues, Kuria said he was one of the few within the administration consistently opposing abductions and extrajudicial killings. “I am disappointed.
This is not how we should treat our people. We are setting a dangerous precedent,” he said. The upcoming memorial protest will serve as a tribute to those who paid the ultimate price during last year’s demonstrations, a movement that symbolized a generational outcry against injustice and lack of accountability in leadership. Kuria’s remarks signal a rare voice from within the government, urging restraint, justice, and a return to national dialogue.