Several schools postpone midterm reopening dates as protests enter third week

Several schools that were scheduled to reopen on Tuesday, July 2, after the midterm break have postponed their reopening to Wednesday due to the anticipated resumption of protests across the country.

Parents who spoke to The Eastleigh Voice said they received notices on the change of opening dates via text on Monday afternoon. 

Students proceeded for a half-term break on June 26 after the Ministry of Education adjusted the dates from between June 20 to 23.

Earlier on, education Cabinet Secretary Ezekiel Machogu appealed for more security in schools to avert disruptions of learning during protests.

The protests, triggered by the government's decision to pass the Finance Bill 2024, have been ongoing for two weeks and are yet to stop despite President William Ruto withdrawing the controversial bill. 

Kenyans now demand tangible and immediate action against corrupt, errant, and extravagant government officials and stricter austerity measures to curb the wastage of public funds.

According to a flyer shared by activist Boniface Mwangi, protesters were expected to march to the Independent Policing Oversight Authority's (IPOA) offices to present their grievances about police brutality and the unjustified killing of protesters, but, in his words, they pulled out of the plan. 

It is unclear how today's protests will unfold. A proposal to have all major roads occupied across the country as a form of protest has neither been confirmed nor denied.

However, Gen Zs are mobilising each other via social media, claiming the protests are still on and youths should attend them en masse.

Security warnings by private security 

Global security company G4S predicts that the protests will continue countrywide, with major towns acting as the epicentres.

A man kicks a tear gas canister at a demonstration over police killings of people protesting against the Finance Bill 2024/2025, in Nairobi on June 27, 2024. (Photo: REUTERS/Monicah Mwangi)

In its occupy protests advisory, G4S cites an expected 60 per cent reduction in economic activity, with further reduction as the day progresses, with a bulk of the protesters expected to show up by mid-afternoon.

"Counter protests similar to last week's events in Nairobi and Eldoret. These could stem from traders or individuals with opposing political affiliations seeking to protect their businesses from looters or expressing their dissent against the protests," the advisory states.

It also indicated the potential for heavy police deployment along all entry points to the Central Business District (CBD) to limit protesters' entry and the possible smuggling of weapons into the CBD.

G4S further warned of road closures and advised employers to allow employees the option of working from home to limit contact with protesters or the police.

ODPP warning

The Office of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions has warned that anyone caught engaging in acts of violence or any other criminality will be met with the full force of the law.

ODPP said that despite the 2010 Constitution of Kenya protecting the right of every person to assemble, demonstrate, picket, and present petitions to public authorities, this right is not absolute and may be limited to protecting lives and property.

Firstly, any person involved in such an assembly, demonstration, and/or picketing must be peaceful and unarmed. Secondly, the right does not extend to propaganda or war, incitement to violence, hate speech or advocacy of hatred that constitutes ethnic incitement of others or incitement to cause harm.

"Cognizant of the loss of lives, destruction and vandalism of private and public property, and other related acts witnessed particularly on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, these crimes cannot continue unabated. Consequently, I direct the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to expeditiously conclude investigations and forward the resultant inquiry files for perusal and directions. Any individual found culpable will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

"Further, any future acts of violence leading to the loss of lives, and/or destruction of private and public property, moreso critical infrastructure including Parliament, Judiciary, and National and County Government facilities, SHALL be met with the fullest force of the law," ODPP warned.

Police officers on Uhuru Highway during the anti-Finance Bill protests on June 20, 2024. (Photo: Justine Ondieki/EV)