Security has been heightened in the capital ahead of the anticipated Gen Z-led protests scheduled for Wednesday, June 25, 2025, marking the first anniversary of last year’s deadly anti-Finance Bill demonstrations.
Police on Tuesday sealed off Parliament Buildings and all access roads to Parliament Square, erecting razor wire barricades in a show of force. The unprecedented security move comes amid growing fears of a repeat of last year’s events when thousands of Gen Z protesters stormed Parliament, briefly occupying the National Assembly and accessing the MPs’ canteen before being violently dispersed an incident that led to several fatalities.
The current protests, organised by Kenya’s youth, aim to highlight ongoing concerns over police brutality, enforced disappearances, and lack of justice. In Nairobi, key highways such as Thika Road, Mombasa Road, Waiyaki Way, and Ngong Road witnessed a heavy presence of anti-riot police. Major businesses have remained closed, and streets are largely deserted following calls from opposition leaders to treat the day as a ‘public holiday’ in honour of the youth who died in 2024.
Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja issued a brief statement on Tuesday, warning demonstrators against accessing protected areas such as Parliament. He stressed that law enforcement would act within the law to protect lives and property while urging peaceful conduct.
“We caution against provocation and unlawful assemblies. Police will remain vigilant,” Kanja said, flanked by senior security chiefs including DCI Director Amin Mohamed and Nairobi Police Commander George Seda.
Seda further reassured the public that security agencies had mapped out key areas and were fully prepared to maintain peace and protect all citizens, whether protesting or not.
The Gen Z movement, known for its decentralised and tech-savvy mobilisation, has vowed to return to the streets in what they describe as a stand against injustice and impunity. As the anniversary of last year’s unrest arrives, all eyes are on how the state will balance law enforcement and the right to protest peacefully.
