NAIROBI, Kenya — Hundreds of commuters were stranded and traffic severely disrupted on Thursday morning after police mounted roadblocks along sections of the Thika Superhighway leading into Nairobi ahead of planned nationwide demonstrations marking the anniversary of the June 25, 2024, Gen Z protests.
Anti-riot police established security barriers at key entry points into the capital, slowing traffic and forcing some motorists to turn back as authorities intensified security operations before the commemorative protests.
The restrictions led to long traffic jams stretching across multiple lanes of the busy highway, one of Nairobi’s main transport corridors linking the city to Kiambu, Murang’a, and other parts of central Kenya.
Videos circulating online showed passengers disembarking from public service vehicles and continuing their journeys on foot after transport services encountered difficulties navigating the police checkpoints.
Large groups of pedestrians were seen walking toward the city as vehicles remained stationary for extended periods.
Private cars, matatus, lorries, and fuel tankers were among the vehicles caught in the congestion, with some commuters reporting significant delays in reaching workplaces and business premises.
The heightened security measures come amid growing tension ahead of demonstrations planned to commemorate victims of the 2024 anti-Finance Bill protests, which culminated in the storming of Parliament and a nationwide outcry over police conduct.
The planned June 25 events have been described by organizers as peaceful memorial processions intended to honor those who lost their lives during last year’s protests and to renew calls for accountability over alleged cases of police brutality, enforced disappearances, and abductions.
On Wednesday, Nairobi Regional Police Commander Issa Mohamoud said police had not received any formal notification regarding the planned demonstrations in Nairobi. He maintained that organizers are required under the Public Order Act to notify police at least three days before holding public gatherings.
“We have not received any formal notification so far. Hence, we are not aware of the alleged commemoration. We do not expect any gathering in Nairobi tomorrow,” Mohamoud told journalists.
National Police Service spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga also warned that law enforcement officers had been instructed to maintain law and order and would act against anyone engaging in criminal activity.
At the same time, civil society organizations and legal groups have urged police to facilitate peaceful assemblies in accordance with Article 37 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to assemble, demonstrate, picket, and present petitions peacefully and unarmed.
The developments underscore the continuing debate over balancing public security with constitutional freedoms as Kenya marks one of the most significant protest anniversaries in its recent history.
By mid-morning, police presence remained heavy on major routes leading into Nairobi, with authorities yet to indicate when the restrictions would be lifted. Commuters and businesses were meanwhile left grappling with the impact of the disruptions as the country awaited the outcome of the planned memorial demonstrations.