MOMBASA, Kenya, June 25 — Tens of young people took to the streets of Mombasa on Wednesday to commemorate those who lost their lives during the 2024 Gen Z-led demonstrations against the Finance Bill.

The youth began the day with a memorial church service at the ACK Memorial Church in Mombasa, where participants gathered dressed in black attire and draped in Kenyan flags as a symbol of mourning and solidarity.

The church leadership allowed the memorial gathering to proceed, with prayers offered for victims who died during last year’s anti-government protests and subsequent demonstrations linked to anniversary commemorations.

Security was heightened around the church, with a heavy police presence deployed outside the venue. Coast Regional Police Commander Ali Nuno was among senior security officials overseeing the gathering.

Reverend Joseph Salim, who presided over the service, urged authorities to respect the constitutional rights of young people to demonstrate peacefully.

“They are only demanding transparency and accountability. Our prayer is that the demonstrations will be peaceful,” said Salim.

The memorial comes amid heightened debate over the planned demonstrations across the country. On Tuesday, local authorities warned against what they termed unlawful protests, claiming organisers had failed to issue the required notification to security agencies.

However, organisers insisted they had complied with all legal requirements and submitted the necessary notices within the stipulated timelines.

Mombasa County Commissioner Mohammed Noor confirmed that authorities had reached an understanding with organisers to ensure the demonstrations remained peaceful.

“We have agreed they will be peaceful. They will walk from the Mapembeni area to my office,” Noor said.

Youth leaders addressing the gathering reiterated their commitment to peaceful demonstrations, saying the event was intended to honour the memory of those killed during the 2024 anti-Finance Bill protests.

According to organisers, 62 people lost their lives during the 2024 demonstrations, while another 65 died during protests linked to first anniversary commemorations. Three of those fatalities were recorded in Mombasa.

One of the organisers, activist Zedekia Adika, said the youth had followed all legal procedures in organising the memorial march and remained committed to maintaining peace throughout the event.

Meanwhile, security officers were deployed across key parts of Mombasa’s central business district, including Digo Road, Moi Avenue, Jomo Kenyatta Avenue and Nkrumah Road, as authorities monitored the situation.