Kenyans have once again taken to the streets today, June 25, to remember and honour the young people who died during the 2024 protests against the Finance Bill.
The previous demonstrations turned deadly, claiming the lives of at least 60 people, injuring many more, and leaving others missing, according to multiple reports.
In anticipation of today’s protests, the government has moved swiftly to prevent any chaos by putting in place several security measures.
Key roads leading to the city centre have been blocked, and access to major government offices, including Parliament, has been barricaded.
Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD) is currently under tight security, with large numbers of police officers deployed across key locations.
Although the organisers of the protest have assured the public that the demonstration will be peaceful, the government appears to be taking no chances.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen held an early morning meeting at 5:00 am with top police officials, including Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, to assess the situation and tighten security measures.
There are growing concerns that the demonstrations could be hijacked by criminal elements, especially after the unrest experienced during last Tuesday’s protest held in memory of Albert Ojwang.
Ojwang died under suspicious circumstances while in police custody, sparking anger and outrage across the country.
Despite these concerns, today’s protest has a clear and peaceful agenda. Demonstrators plan to march through Nairobi’s major streets, including Kenyatta Avenue, Moi Avenue, Mama Ngina Street, and Harambee Avenue.
They also intend to lay flowers outside Parliament, and deliver formal letters to the Office of the President and to Parliament, calling for justice and accountability.
Here at Kenyans.co.ke, we are running a live blog throughout the day, bringing you continuous updates and live coverage from our reporters on the ground.
Live Updates Below:
9:24am: Kalonzo Musyoka, Eugene Wamalwa, and other political leaders supporting the protests were blocked from accessing Parliament after attempting to lay flower wreaths in honour of those who died during the anti-Finance Bill protests.
9:20am: Kalonzo and Wamalwa held a prayer session at Holy Family Basilica before heading to the CBD to pay their respects at Parliament by laying wreaths.
8:50am: Opposition figures, including Kalonzo Musyoka and Eugene Wamalwa, gathered at the Holy Family Basilica in Nairobi early this morning. During the event, they called on the government to compensate the families of Gen Z protesters who lost their lives.
The leaders also unveiled a new initiative called the People’s Justice Commission, which will be chaired by former Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi. The commission aims to lead efforts to seek justice for the victims of the 2024 protests.
8:18am: A large contingent of police officers has been deployed along State House Road amid reports that protesters may attempt to “occupy State House.” The area has been completely sealed off with security barriers.
7:16am: Public transportation and commuting have been severely affected this morning as police blocked several key roads leading into Nairobi’s CBD.
Roads affected include Jogoo Road, Ngong Road, Limuru Road, Kiambu Road, and Mombasa Road. These roads have been barricaded, and officers are conducting random security checks.
- On Jogoo Road, a roadblock was set up near City Stadium.
- On Mombasa Road, police were spotted conducting checks near the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
- Along Limuru Road, a barricade was erected near the Israeli Embassy.
- On Kiambu Road, police were seen near Runda Mall checking vehicles.
7:00am: Police sealed off access routes to Parliament and surrounding government offices. This comes after last year’s protests where demonstrators managed to breach Parliament’s security.
Today, Parliament is surrounded by hundreds of anti-riot officers, with water cannons stationed outside Bunge Towers as part of the enhanced security measures.
5:00am: Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen led a security meeting with senior police officers, including Inspector General Douglas Kanja.
After the meeting, Murkomen was seen walking through the streets of Nairobi to inspect the security arrangements ahead of the day’s protests.
Stay with us for live, accurate, and up-to-the-minute coverage of this unfolding story.
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