NAIROBI, Kenya — Deputy Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli has defended the deployment of security checkpoints and roadblocks across Nairobi and neighbouring counties, saying the measures are intended to prevent violence and stop criminals from infiltrating ongoing demonstrations marking the anniversary of the June 25, 2024, Gen Z protests.
Speaking on Thursday as thousands of Kenyans participated in commemorative protests across the country, Masengeli maintained that security agencies had a constitutional duty to protect lives and property while facilitating peaceful demonstrations.
“Kenyans are safe and are going on with their duties as usual. We are glad that there has not been any violence since this morning. We have not seen anybody’s vehicle being burnt, and people are using the roads as usual,” he said.
His remarks came amid widespread complaints from motorists and commuters following the erection of police barricades along key routes leading into Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD).
Roadblocks were mounted along sections of Thika Road, Mombasa Road, and Lang’ata Road, while routes linking Nairobi to Athi River and Mlolongo also experienced significant disruptions as police intensified security operations ahead of the demonstrations.
The restrictions resulted in lengthy traffic snarl-ups and left thousands of commuters stranded, with many passengers forced to walk long distances after public service vehicles were prevented from accessing parts of the city centre.
Masengeli rejected claims that police had blocked public access to roads, insisting that security officers were only conducting checks to identify individuals carrying weapons or intending to engage in criminal activities.
“Everybody has got a right, but the rights are limited. There are no roadblocks. We have not blocked anyone from using the roads. We are only blocking those who are attempting to cause violence. We are stopping vehicles to check whether some are carrying weapons and criminals. That is our work,” he stated.
The Deputy Inspector General emphasised that while the Constitution guarantees the right to peaceful assembly and demonstration, those rights must be exercised within the framework of the law and without threatening public safety.
A spot check conducted by YNews.digital in parts of Nairobi showed unusually low traffic volumes within the CBD as heightened security measures restricted movement into the city.
Along Haile Selassie Avenue, only a handful of private vehicles and public service vehicles were seen accessing the area, while several businesses remained closed amid uncertainty surrounding the demonstrations.
On the Thika Superhighway, police mounted checkpoints at Ruiru, the Eastern Bypass junction, Allsops, and Roysambu, resulting in significant delays for motorists travelling into the capital.
The demonstrations are being held to commemorate victims of the June 25, 2024, anti-Finance Bill protests, which culminated in the storming of Parliament and triggered one of the most significant youth-led political movements in Kenya’s recent history.
Human rights organisations and civil society groups have urged both protesters and security agencies to uphold constitutional freedoms while avoiding violence and destruction of property.
The security operation comes amid heightened tensions following concerns raised by activists over possible disruption of the commemorative demonstrations.
Organisers have maintained that the protests are intended to honour those who lost their lives, were injured or/and disappeared during last year’s anti-government demonstrations.
As the protests continued across Nairobi, Mombasa and other towns, police insisted that their priority remained maintaining public order, protecting critical infrastructure, and ensuring peaceful participants could exercise their constitutional rights without interference from criminal elements.