Kenya’s capital city, Nairobi, came under heavy security lockdown today as the country marked one year since the deadly anti-tax demonstrations of 2024 that claimed over 60 lives. Police patrols, road closures, and heightened surveillance were reported across the Central Business District and other major cities, as the government braced for renewed protests.
Parliament Road, previously breached during last year’s chaos, has now been reinforced with razor wire and stationed with armed officers. Access to downtown Nairobi was severely limited, with roadblocks placed at Valley Road, Ngong Road, and Donholm Roundabout. Public transport was also disrupted, with matatus and private vehicles turned away from key entry points like Waiyaki Way and Thika Road.
In Nakuru and Narok, anti-riot police patrolled main roads, and horseback officers were deployed through city streets. Many businesses in the CBD remained closed amid fears of looting, mirroring last year’s unrest.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen made a high-profile appearance early in the morning, walking along Harambee Avenue with senior police officials. “We have a nation to keep and build,” he said via social media, pledging protection for both citizens and property.
International Concern and Government Pushback
Ahead of the protests, a coalition of 12 Western embassies — including the US, UK, Germany, Canada, and Sweden — issued a rare joint statement urging Kenya’s government to respect civic freedoms and prevent a repeat of last year’s violence.
“We remember those who lost their lives and reaffirm every Kenyan’s right to peaceful assembly,” read the statement, which also condemned the use of plain-clothed police in unmarked vehicles and the alleged infiltration of demonstrations by hired thugs.
The Kenyan government, however, issued a stern diplomatic note in response. Through the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, it reminded envoys of their obligations under the Vienna Convention and warned against interference in internal affairs.
“Any violations, if established, are addressed through our institutions — including independent commissions, Parliament, and the Judiciary,” the ministry stated, defending the country’s law enforcement practices.
Nelson Koech, Chairperson of the National Assembly Defence Committee, echoed the ministry’s stance, accusing foreign missions of adopting activist rhetoric. “Kenya remains committed to democratic freedoms, but the State has a duty to protect national order,” he said.
A Day of Tension, Memory, and Resolve
The June 25 anniversary has reignited painful memories for many Kenyans, especially the youth who led last year’s #RejectFinanceBill protests. Though turnout remains limited due to the security environment, public sentiment continues to simmer.
With calls for justice for victims of police violence, and mounting pressure on authorities to ensure accountability, the day stands as a stark reminder of the delicate balance between civic freedoms and state security.
As Kenya navigates these tensions, both domestic and international eyes remain fixed on how the government manages dissent — and how the people choose to remember and respond.