City Affairs

Heightened police presence in Nairobi after deadly protests

Police officers face protesters along Kenyatta Avenue in Nairobi during demonstrations against the Finance Bill 2024 in June 2024. (Photo: Hafsa Hassan, EV)

By Mary Wambui | Friday, June 28, 2024

A poster shared online indicates that the protests will continue in the coming week, with participants called to occupy major roads across the country and stage sit-ins on Tuesday and Thursday.

The National Police Service maintained a significant level of police deployment across various points in the city, including all routes leading to State House, following Thursday's protests.

A spot check by The Eastleigh Voice revealed an above-normal police presence, with officers in combat and anti-riot gear stationed in police trucks and at multiple locations.

Keep reading

Though the protests ended Thursday, the deployment depicted the government's state of alertness after being caught unaware by the demonstrations that began with calls for the withdrawal of the Finance Bill, 2024, and escalated to calls to Occupy State House.

A poster shared online indicates that the protests will continue in the coming week, with participants called to occupy major roads across the country and stage sit-ins on Tuesday and Thursday.

Other activities slated for the week include visiting and mourning with the injured and deceased families on Friday.

On Saturday, images of all protesters who have died during the protests will be posted nationwide.

The remembrance will continue on Sunday when Gen Zs plan to deny politicians a chance to speak in churches and observe a moment of silence during the service.

On Monday, portraits of government officials alleged to have engaged in corruption and their agents will be shared and posted widely.

The government has called on the protesters to seek dialogue instead of continuing with protests.

"Fellow Kenyans! President Ruto listens. The Finance Bill, 2024 is now shelved. Let's not aid those who don't wish our country well by staging protests to destabilise us. Kenya is the only country we have. Let's uphold peace, unity, and patriotism. Kenya is ours," government spokesman Isaac Mwaura implored on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, traders in Eastleigh and parts of Nairobi have suffered significant losses from looters taking advantage of the protests to break into their shops and steal.