Kenyan Police Seal Off Nairobi Ahead of Protest Marking 2024 Anti-Government Demonstrations
Nairobi-Kenyan police erected roadblocks around Nairobi on Thursday and restricted access to the capital ahead of planned demonstrations commemorating the second anniversary of the deadly anti-government protests of June 2024.
The protests are being organized by families of victims and civil society groups seeking justice and accountability for more than 60 people who were killed during demonstrations that culminated in protesters storming the Kenyan Parliament in 2024.
Authorities blocked major highways leading into Nairobi, while Parliament remained heavily barricaded and many businesses stayed closed amid heightened security concerns.
President William Ruto recently stated that citizens would be allowed to exercise their right to protest, but emphasized that the government also has a responsibility to protect public order, ensure schools remain open and allow economic activities to continue.
Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen said police would provide security and escort peaceful demonstrators, but warned that criminal elements attempting to exploit the protests would face firm action.
The planned demonstrations have received support from opposition leaders, who are demanding greater transparency in the government’s compensation program for victims of the 2024 unrest.
Many affected families say justice has been slow. Edith Wanjiku, whose 19-year-old son Ibrahim Kamau was fatally shot during the protests, said her family has yet to receive compensation despite completing all required documentation.
According to families of victims, only a small number of affected households have received compensation so far, raising questions about the selection process and the pace of implementation.
The June 2024 protests were triggered by widespread opposition to a proposed finance bill that sought to increase taxes amid rising living costs. Thousands of mainly young protesters took to the streets, and security forces opened fire after demonstrators breached Parliament grounds, resulting in dozens of deaths.
President Ruto has described the compensation initiative as an acknowledgment of harm suffered by victims and their families, while maintaining that the payments should not be interpreted as an admission of government liability.
Authorities remain on high alert as demonstrators prepare to gather across Nairobi, with concerns over potential unrest and disruptions in the city.
