NAIROBI, Kenya – Armoured vehicles have been deployed in the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD) in response to the highly anticipated.
In a now-viral video, at least three armoured paramilitary vehicles were spotted entering the Nairobi CBD on the morning of Wednesday, June 25, 2025.
“The roadblock at the City Mortuary. A battalion of police was at the spot, ready to pounce. Also, these tankers just passed me. They are getting ready for us, but we are equally ready for them,” City lawyer Phannie Kwegah posted on her official X account.
The protests are aimed at marking one year since the historic #OccupyParliament protest shook the nation’s conscience.
Why the June 25 protests are a litmus test for NPS
According to Amnesty International Kenya, as Kenyans prepare to take to the streets again, peacefully and within their constitutional right, it is not just a protest.
“It is a mirror held up to the National Police Service (NPS), a test of whether it serves the Constitution or cowers to political masters,” said Amnesty International Kenya in a statement.
While quoting Article 245 of the Constitution of Kenya, Mathias Kinyoda, Amnesty International Kenya’s Public Communications and Engagement Manager, said that the mandate is an independent command structure for the NPS, with the Inspector-General wielding independent authority, free from political or any other external influence.
“It’s a critical safeguard. But it’s one we are yet to see in action, especially during times when the voice of the people grows louder than usual,” said Kinyoda.
According to Kinyoda, today’s June 25th anniversary offers the NPS a chance to flip the script of working in cahoots with instigators widely believed to be sponsored by political interests.
“This is not a moment to clamp down, intimidate, or antagonise citizens. It’s an opportunity to redeem the institution. To offer protection, not punishment. To walk with Kenyans, not against them. What we need to see are clear actions: police officers safeguarding peaceful demonstrators, violent actors arrested and prosecuted, and timely public updates on the investigations into last week’s mayhem,” explained Kinyoda.
What the UK said ahead of the June 25 protests
Already, the United Kingdom has issued an updated travel advisory for Kenya ahead of planned Gen Z-led demonstrations marking the anniversary of last year’s deadly Finance Bill protests, warning British nationals of potential violence, traffic disruptions, and terrorism threats.
In the advisory, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) urges citizens to exercise “increased caution” around political gatherings and large crowds, particularly in Nairobi, which is expected to be a focal point of the June 25 demonstrations.
The advisory notes that while protests are often peaceful, they have previously turned violent and unpredictable, with the potential for injury or loss of life.
“Protests, demonstrations and strikes are common in Kenya. These events often cause traffic disruption and can lead to violence,” the statement reads. “Avoid political gatherings and monitor local media closely.”
