Nairobi, Kenya – Shakira Wafula, the young activist who became a national symbol of courage after a defiant standoff with police during last year’s anti-tax protests, has announced she will lead a peaceful memorial procession on June 25in honor of the more than 60 Kenyans who lost their lives in the 2024 demonstrations.

Speaking to reporters on June 24, Wafula urged participants to remain peaceful and united, confirming that protest organizers have formally notified authorities of their plans to ensure compliance with legal protocols and avoid unnecessary confrontation.

“Many people think I’m bold,” she reflected. “But I was really scared—I didn’t know what the police would do.” Her honesty cast a sobering light on the fear and unpredictability faced by youth activists during last year’s protests, even as their courage captured the nation’s imagination.

Wafula strongly condemned what she called a pattern of excessive force used by security agencies and questioned the state’s expectations for calm in the face of provocation. “How can we be told to remain peaceful when peace is not protected?”

The June 25 memorial will include a flower-laying ceremony in Nairobi’s central business district, followed by the delivery of a petition to Parliament and the President’s office, demanding justice and accountability for the victims of state violence.

As the anniversary stirs fresh emotions across the country, Wafula’s march stands not only as a symbol of remembrance, but also as a plea for a more just, humane, and accountable future—one where no life is lost for speaking out.