Police on Moi Avenue in Nairobi monitored the second anniversary of the Gen Z protests.
After a day of road blockades and clashes, normalcy returned across the country as families, activists and politicians commemorated the 2024 protests that claimed 62 lives and injured many.
Unlike last year’s widespread unrest, the demonstrations this Thursday were met with one of the heaviest security presences in recent history, as authorities sought to suppress any repeat of chaos.
The most noticeable tactic was closing major roads into Nairobi’s Central Business District, where police erected roadblocks that sealed off the city centre.
These restrictions halted thousands of commuters, forcing many to walk far distances or abandon their trips despite assurances that the day would proceed normally.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen defended the closures, noting intelligence suggested that troublemakers were being ferried into Nairobi.
He claimed that the response brought relative calm to the city while also regretting the inconvenience to commuters.
By government assessment, the main goal of preventing widespread disorder was met.
Murkomen reported 355 arrests nationwide for vandalism and obstruction, saying the intense police presence and screenings kept would‑be troublemakers in check.
Officials also praised protesters for largely remaining peaceful.
He added that the country should foster such political culture, hoping for future demonstrations that spare those unrelated.
While roadblocks appeared to curb violence, they also prevented ordinary citizens from reaching work, undermining the promise of uninterrupted business.
Opposition leaders Kalonzo Musyoka, Eugene Wamalwa, James Orengo and Martha Karua argued the operation effectively enforced a stay‑at‑home order they had called for.
Karua reflected, praising the police for making the day successful and noting that barricading roads equated to a public holiday.
The security effort also stalled plans by opposition, families of victims and activists to march to Parliament and lay wreaths for those killed in 2024.
Blocked from accessing Parliament, they placed wreaths on the razor wire surrounding the precincts instead.
Despite the setback, Karua lauded the scale of the deployment.
She noted that such heavy police presence made looting or property damage unrealistic.
Beyond roadblocks, police introduced a crowd‑control device seldom used before in Kenya.
While tear gas remained part of the strategy, officers relied heavily on Long‑Range Acoustic Devices mounted on armoured vehicles to disperse crowds with minimal confrontation.
These sound cannons projected intense low‑frequency waves that allowed authorities to issue commands from a safe distance while physically disorienting protesters.
When activated, many demonstrators moved away, covering their ears to cope with the loud noise.
The human pain threshold starts around 130 decibels, but LRADs can exceed 160, producing immediate ear pain.
The harsh sounds can trigger headaches, nausea, and dizziness by disrupting inner‑ear balance, compelling those exposed to flee the source.
The plan faced criticism from civil‑society groups who claimed some measures breached constitutional rights to peaceful assembly.
Activist Shakira Wafula said the widespread roadblocks ignored court orders governing police conduct during demonstrations.
“The government is setting a bad precedent for handling picketing and protests,” she told Citizen TV. “Last year, Justice Mugambi ordered that police must not erect roadblocks or barricades without notice, yet we woke up to see them in place.”
“Again, policemen faced the public with covered faces. The court order also requires officers to be visible when operating publicly, yet many wore civilian clothing,” she added.
Nonetheless, the government maintained that the security strategy had succeeded.
“Today proves that when demonstrations adhere to constitutional provisions, peace and security follow. We regret the inconvenience caused but also value the effectiveness in safeguarding the city and the country,” Murkomen said.
Political analyst Mutahi Ngunyi offered a contrasting view, suggesting the day highlighted the challenge of reproducing the scale and urgency of the 2024 protests.
“Today’s protests were a waste of national imagination. No energy, no people as promised, and no Gen Z. The lesson is that a political trick cannot be repeated twice. The 2024 moment cannot be replayed; it was justified and unique,” he warned.
As debates persist, the events suggest that the state’s security approach largely succeeded in preventing widespread unrest, yet it disrupted everyday life and sparked renewed discussion over balancing public order and protecting constitutional freedoms.