A heavy police presence was witnessed across Nairobi and its outskirts on Thursday morning as security agencies intensified operations ahead of the planned June 25 demonstrations.
Roadblocks were mounted on several major roads leading into the city, including Thika Road, Waiyaki Way, Mombasa Road and routes linking Rongai to the Central Business District, leading to traffic snarl-ups and delays for thousands of commuters heading to work.
Police officers were also deployed at strategic locations such as Allsops, Mlolongo and Uthiru, where vehicles were being screened as part of heightened security measures.
Around Parliament Buildings, security was further reinforced with barbed wire barricades erected to restrict access ahead of the planned protests marking the first anniversary of the June 25, 2024 demonstrations.
Some long-distance buses travelling along Waiyaki Way were forced to stop at the Uthiru-87 junction as traffic slowed, with many passengers opting to wait until movement resumed.
The deployment came a day after Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen assured Kenyans that Thursday would remain a normal working and school day, even as the government acknowledged receiving notifications from groups planning to hold peaceful demonstrations.
“The Government respects the constitutional rights of all Kenyans to peaceably assemble for whatever reason, on any day, any time,” Murkomen said.
The Interior Ministry said the security operation was intended to ensure public safety while allowing lawful activities to continue.
“Security agencies have been deployed to keep people safe, protect property and critical infrastructure, and support the continuation of lawful activities with minimal disruption,” the ministry said.
Authorities have maintained that while peaceful demonstrations remain a constitutional right, security agencies will remain on high alert to prevent any acts of violence, destruction of property or disruption of essential services.
The June 25 demonstrations commemorate last year’s anti-Finance Bill protests, which culminated in the storming of Parliament and prompted renewed calls for accountability, making this year’s anniversary one of the country’s most closely monitored security operations.