Kenyan authorities have sealed off major roads leading into central Nairobi as the country braces for nationwide demonstrations marking two years since the deadly Gen Z-led anti-government protests that shook the nation in 2024.
Security forces established roadblocks across key routes into the capital early Thursday, disrupting traffic and leaving many commuters stranded. Several businesses, schools, and offices remained closed as fears of unrest grew ahead of the planned demonstrations.
The protests are being organised to commemorate the anti-tax demonstrations of June 2024, when thousands of young Kenyans took to the streets to oppose proposed tax increases. The movement eventually culminated in protesters storming parliament, forcing the government to withdraw the controversial Finance Bill. However, the demonstrations also turned deadly, with more than 80 people reportedly killed and dozens more injured during clashes with security forces.
This year’s protesters say they are demanding justice for those who died during the 2024 demonstrations and subsequent anniversary protests. Many have also called for greater accountability from security agencies and reforms to address concerns over police conduct.
Authorities have significantly increased security across Nairobi and other major towns expected to witness demonstrations, including Mombasa and several urban centres in central Kenya. Police officers, including mounted units, were deployed across strategic locations in an effort to prevent large crowds from gathering.
Television footage showed confrontations between protesters and security personnel in parts of Nairobi, particularly in the Githurai area, where demonstrators reportedly lit fires and erected makeshift barricades. Police responded by firing tear gas to disperse crowds, while several arrests were made as anti-riot officers attempted to stop protesters from entering the city centre.
Deputy Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli defended the security measures, insisting the roadblocks were designed to maintain public safety and prevent criminals from exploiting the demonstrations.
“We are ensuring the safety of Kenyans and checking for weapons,” Masengeli said, adding that the country remained largely calm despite concerns about possible unrest.
Despite the government’s assurances, many Nairobi residents faced significant travel disruptions as police blocked access to major routes including Thika Super Highway, Mombasa Road, Waiyaki Way, Jogoo Road, Kenyatta Avenue, and sections of the Nairobi-Namanga Highway.
Families of victims killed during the 2024 protests have urged authorities to allow peaceful remembrance events without confrontation. Several parents gathered alongside opposition leaders to lay wreaths outside parliament in honour of those who lost their lives during the demonstrations.
Prominent opposition figures, including Kalonzo Musyoka, Martha Karua, and Eugene Wamalwa, joined relatives of the victims, calling for justice and accountability while urging protesters to remain peaceful.
President William Ruto has acknowledged citizens’ constitutional right to protest but warned that acts of violence, destruction of property, and criminal activity would not be tolerated. His administration has repeatedly stressed the importance of maintaining public order while respecting democratic freedoms.
Meanwhile, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, now one of Ruto’s strongest political rivals, urged young activists to avoid street demonstrations altogether. Instead, he encouraged Kenyans to stay at home as a symbolic form of protest, citing fears that public gatherings could be infiltrated by violent elements.
The demonstrations come at a politically sensitive time for President Ruto, who is facing growing public dissatisfaction ahead of the 2027 general election. Critics accuse his government of failing to deliver on key economic promises and of mishandling concerns raised by young people over unemployment, rising living costs, and governance issues.
In an apparent effort to address some of those grievances, Ruto recently announced a compensation package worth nearly $15 million for almost 2,000 victims of alleged protest-related human rights abuses recorded between 2017 and 2025. The president described the initiative as a gesture of recognition for victims and their families rather than compensation for violence.
However, several human rights organisations have criticised the programme, arguing that it excludes some victims and lacks transparency regarding how compensation amounts were determined.
As demonstrations continue to unfold across Kenya, authorities remain on high alert, while protesters insist their movement is about remembering those who died, demanding accountability, and ensuring that the events of 2024 are not forgotten.
With tensions high and security forces maintaining a heavy presence across major cities, the country faces another significant test of its democratic institutions as young Kenyans once again make their voices heard.
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