Activists march in Mombasa/John Chesoli
Even before dawn, police stationed themselves across Nairobi. By 4 a.m., key routes to the Central Business District were blocked, checkpoints erected on major roads, razor wire set up around Parliament, and armed officers positioned at strategic points. Public transport vans were denied access to the city centre, while private cars faced thorough searches.
Kenya marked the anniversary of the June 25, 2024, Gen Z protests that claimed over 60 lives and ended with Parliament’s breach, turning the lively downtown into a quiet, deserted area. Shops stayed closed, streets normally full of workers and matatus were empty, and commuters walked miles after public buses were halted near the CBD. The silence felt unsettling.
Police at the General Post Office roundabout turned away pedestrians and motorists seeking city entry, and on Mombasa Road traffic jammed at checkpoints near Mlolongo as vehicles were inspected. Similar scenes unfolded on Waiyaki Way, Ngong Road, Lang’ata Road, and parts of Thika Road, effectively stopping large sections of the capital.
Despite the heavy security, many Kenyans persisted in honouring those who died during the anti‑Finance Bill protests. Families gathered outside the Serena Hotel with flowers and photographs of missing relatives, some weeping as they prepared for a march to Parliament. Jacinta Anyango, mother of a 12‑year‑old killed in Rongai, pleaded for justice to confront the government.
Opposition figures – Wiper Party’s Kalonzo Musyoka, People’s Liberation Party’s Martha Karua, former Chief Justice David Maraga, ex‑Defence Secretary Eugene Wamalwa, and veteran activists – joined the mourners, holding placards demanding justice and accountability. The procession moved calmly through the city, singing songs and observing silence, but police erected razor‑wire barriers near Parliament Road, blocking access.
Denied entry, mourners turned the barricade into a memorial, laying flowers on the wire. The scene, both heartbreaking and symbolic, highlighted unresolved questions over the protest deaths. Kalonzo emphasized the peaceful nature of the protests and urged calm, calling June 25 a pivotal moment in Kenya’s democratic story and hoping future generations will recognize it as a day of remembrance.
Mombasa’s commemoration took a serene form, with youth activists and religious leaders leading a procession from ACK Memorial Church, carrying flags and placards, praying for accountability and peaceful demonstrations. The event proceeded without incident, aided by police who managed traffic and ensured the march stayed calm.
In Kisumu, many turned out not to protest but to apply for national identity cards and register voters ahead of the 2027 General Election. Long queues filled registration centres, while residents praised the day’s calm, suggesting that change could come through the ballot rather than street action.
Police officials defended the security measures, stating they were meant to ensure safety and that no vehicles were harmed. Deputy Inspector General Gilbert Masengeli, Inspector General Douglas Kanja, and Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat supervised operations across Nairobi and surrounding areas, visiting deployment sites and confirming the town of Kitengela remained calm under heavy patrol.
In western Kenya, businesses operated normally, while in Murang’a, some traders kept operations minimal due to lingering unrest. In Nyeri and Eldoret, private security and police officers guarded businesses, maintaining a sense of safety despite a quieter city centre.
The day highlighted Kenya’s ongoing struggle with security, memory, and civic engagement, underscoring the desire for accountability and peaceful remembrance.