Kenyan police sealed off major roads leading into central Nairobi on Thursday as thousands of citizens prepared to participate in nationwide demonstrations commemorating victims of the 2024 anti-government protests.
The protests, largely organized through social media, are being held to demand justice for more than 80 people who were killed and dozens injured during the anti-tax demonstrations of 2024 and subsequent anniversary protests. Demonstrations are expected across several major towns, including Nairobi, Mombasa, and parts of central Kenya.
Security forces established roadblocks and deployed water cannons around Nairobi’s central business district, effectively restricting access to the city center. The heightened security presence left many commuters stranded on the outskirts of the capital, while numerous businesses and schools remained closed.
Despite the restrictions, isolated clashes were reported between protesters and police. Security officers used tear gas to disperse crowds in several areas, while some demonstrators responded by throwing stones. Local television footage showed flames and smoke rising from Nairobi’s Githurai area, where protesters reportedly set fires during confrontations with law enforcement.
Several individuals were arrested by anti-riot police while attempting to enter the city center.
Opposition leaders Kalonzo Musyoka, Martha Karua, and Eugene Wamalwa joined families of victims in a symbolic march to Parliament, where wreaths were laid in memory of those who lost their lives during the 2024 demonstrations.
The protests trace their origins to June 2024, when tens of thousands of Kenyans took to the streets to oppose proposed tax increases. The demonstrations culminated in the storming of Parliament, prompting the government to withdraw the controversial finance bill. However, security forces later faced accusations of excessive force, with human rights groups and investigations alleging unlawful killings and abuses against protesters.
In the aftermath of the 2024 unrest, reports emerged of numerous abductions allegedly linked to security agencies. While some victims were later found severely beaten, others were discovered dead, raising concerns about enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings.
Deputy Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli defended the security measures, stating that roadblocks were intended to prevent criminals and weapons from entering the city.
“There are no blocked roads. We are just ensuring the safety of Kenyans. We are checking whether individuals are carrying weapons,” Masengeli said, adding that most citizens were able to continue with their daily activities peacefully.
Families of those killed during the protests have appealed for a peaceful commemoration.
“We don’t want tear gas and running battles in the streets. We are too old for that,” one grieving parent told journalists in Nairobi.
The government has urged demonstrators to remain peaceful and avoid violence, looting, or destruction of property. President William Ruto recently reaffirmed citizens’ constitutional right to protest but warned that anyone seeking to cause disorder or damage property would face consequences.
While several political leaders, civil society organizations, and human rights groups have endorsed peaceful demonstrations as a legitimate form of democratic expression, concerns remain over the possibility of violence. Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua urged young activists to avoid street protests, suggesting instead that citizens stay home as a symbolic act of dissent.
Last week, President Ruto announced a compensation fund worth nearly $15 million for approximately 2,000 victims of protest-related human rights abuses recorded between 2017 and 2025. However, human rights organizations criticized the initiative, arguing that it excludes some victims and lacks transparency.
As Kenya approaches the 2027 general elections, President Ruto faces increasing public dissatisfaction, with critics accusing his administration of failing to fulfill key campaign promises. The president has rejected those allegations, maintaining that his government has delivered on most of its commitments and remains prepared to defend its record ahead of the next election.