Kenyan authorities on Thursday mounted a heavy security operation across the capital, Nairobi, as citizens prepared to commemorate the second anniversary of the historic Gen Z-led protests that shook the government and reshaped the country’s political landscape.
The demonstrations, which began in June 2024, saw thousands of young Kenyans take to the streets to protest rising living costs, corruption, and proposed tax increases. The movement culminated in protesters storming Parliament, forcing the government to withdraw the controversial tax measures.
The protests marked a turning point in Kenya’s political history, with young people uniting across ethnic and political divides. Since then, June 25 has become a symbolic day of civic resistance and public expression against governance challenges under President William Ruto’s administration.
Ahead of this year’s anniversary, police established numerous roadblocks around Nairobi, restricting movement on major roads, while many schools and businesses remained closed. Security personnel, including mounted police, anti-riot units, and plainclothes officers, were deployed across strategic locations, with government buildings secured by barbed wire.
Despite the heightened security, concerns persist over the conduct of law enforcement during protests. According to Kenya’s police watchdog, at least 127 people have been killed during demonstrations over the past two years, raising questions about accountability and the use of force by security agencies.
President Ruto recently reaffirmed citizens’ constitutional right to peaceful protest but warned against acts of violence, vandalism, and public disorder.
Meanwhile, opposition figures and civil society groups have accused political actors of deploying armed gangs to infiltrate demonstrations and target rivals. Such groups have been linked to incidents of violence, looting, and disruptions at opposition events and civic gatherings.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua urged young people to stay away from the streets, alleging that authorities were preparing to suppress demonstrators.
Nevertheless, some protesters remained defiant. Small groups gathered in parts of Nairobi, determined to honour those who lost their lives during the 2024 demonstrations and to continue demanding accountability and reforms.
