A heavy police presence was witnessed in Nairobi on Tuesday morning as security forces barricaded major roads leading to State House ahead of protests marking the first anniversary of the June 25, 2024, Gen Z demonstrations.
Anti-riot police braved the early morning chill to set up security checkpoints and razor wire barricades on key routes, halting motorists and pedestrians attempting to access the area. The police action is part of a broader strategy to prevent any planned march to the highly secured premises.
The tightened security came amid growing anticipation of renewed protests by Kenyan youth demanding reforms in governance, economic justice, and accountability from public officials. The protests are also expected to serve as a symbolic remembrance of last year’s mass mobilization that swept across the country.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen toured various parts of the city, accompanied by senior police commanders, to monitor the situation on the ground. He also visited the Inspector General’s office at Jogoo House to oversee operations and assure the public of government readiness to maintain order.
Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja reiterated the police’s commitment to upholding constitutional rights, while cautioning against attempts to breach protected zones such as State House and Parliament. “Unauthorized persons must refrain from accessing protected areas under the Protected Areas Act,” he warned.
Despite police assurances of safety for both demonstrators and the general public, many Nairobi businesses chose to remain closed, fearing potential disruptions. City Hall responded by recalling inspectorate officers to support security efforts, instructing them to be in full uniform during the operation.
In Kitengela, a group of early morning protesters was dispersed by police, further signaling the force’s readiness to quell any unrest outside legal boundaries.
The Gen Z protests of 2024 remain a defining moment in Kenya’s recent civic landscape, and today’s planned demonstrations aim to rekindle that spirit while testing the state’s tolerance for peaceful dissent.
As tension simmers in the capital, both protesters and security forces brace for a day that could mark either a peaceful expression of democratic rights or renewed confrontation on the city streets.
