Nairobi Central Police Station has pledged to provide security for the families of victims of the June 25, 2023, anti-Finance Bill protests, as they prepare to hold a peaceful memorial protest on Wednesday next week. The assurance was made during a meeting between Nairobi Central OCPD Stephen Okal and the bereaved families and organisers.
OCPD Okal confirmed receipt of the formal notification for the planned assembly and stated that security arrangements are already underway to ensure a violence-free memorial. “We have received the notification and we’re working on the way forward on how to manage it, so that we can have a violent-free memorial service,” Okal said.
The families, led mostly by grieving mothers, emphasized their intention to hold a peaceful assembly to remember their lost loved ones and to demand justice and reforms. They cautioned against infiltration by political elements or criminal groups seeking to hijack the occasion.
“Tunaweza fanya maombi nyumbani bado lakini nyumbani tutafanya mimi na familia yangu, tutawakisha candle, tutaomba lakini tukiwa pamoja naweza lia mwenzangu anitulize aseme tulia mama,” said Cynthia Anyango, one of the mothers. Caroline Mutisya added, “Tumeungana sisi akina mama tuko wengi, tukuje na maua tuweke, kama mimi Eric alilalishwa hapo nje ya Parliament, ninataka niweke maua hapo nimkumbuke.”
Daniel Otieno, another family member, reiterated the commitment to peace. “Tunakuja kwa amani, hatutaki vurugu… tunakuja tu kuwaomboleza, mapolisi wametuahidi usalama.”
Family members, accompanied by their lawyer Njanja Maina, will also present memoranda to Parliament and the Office of the President, calling for justice, police reforms, and an end to extra-judicial killings and abductions in Kenya.
“If you intend to cause any violence, on that day please jitenge na sisi. We do not want any violence that day, that is the most important clarion call peace,” Maina emphasized.
The Wednesday event is expected to draw national attention as families and supporters march to honor those who lost their lives while peacefully protesting last year’s controversial Finance Bill.
