Nakuru Leaders Call for Police Restraint as Youth Prepare for March

Church and political figures in Nakuru have publicly implored the Kenya Police Service to exercise restraint as young protesters gear up for a memorial march scheduled on Wednesday. The march, organised to remember the victims of last year’s upheavals, comes amid heightened tensions and widespread concern over recent demonstrations.
At a thanksgiving ceremony in Lanet, parish priest Lawrence Mbogo condemned the use of violence against demonstrators, stating that citizens seeking to voice their grievances should not be met with force. He pointed out that young people felt neglected and unheard, citing the large youth turnout in the demonstrations against the 2024 Finance Bill as evidence of frustration. He also warned against the deployment of hired disruptors at protests—a strategy he described as a recipe for chaos and bloodshed . Capital FM Meanwhile, former National Hospital Insurance Fund chief executive and politician Geoffrey Mwangi demanded accountability for officers alleged to have mistreated protesters, and called for a safe space where the youth could freely express themselves.
The call for calm has been echoed by Bishop Geoffrey Buliba of the Christian Brotherhood Church, who urged protesters to remain lawful and warned that leaders seen to be orchestrating violence from behind the scenes should face legal consequences. He referenced the 2007–2008 post-election violence and suggested similar accountability mechanisms may be warranted for those involved in disrupting peaceful demonstrations.
As the memorial march draws nearer, the spotlight is firmly on how both the youth and law enforcement will conduct themselves. Observers say the upcoming event represents more than a remembrance — it’s a barometer of how Kenya’s democracy handles dissent and the rights of young citizens. The nation will be closely watching whether the police heed the plea for restraint and whether the youth channel their frustrations into peaceful civic action.