Running battles as protesters face off with police in Kenya’s June anniversary demos

The day began with heavy police deployment in Nairobi and other urban centres, where key roads were barricaded and access to the Central Business District (CBD) severely restricted.

Authorities sealed off all routes leading to the State House using razor wire, while Parliament buildings were heavily fortified. Commuters were forced to disembark at designated drop-off points far from the city centre as security forces tried to pre-empt disruptions.

Despite the heightened security, protests erupted in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, and several other towns. Predominantly led by Gen Z demonstrators, the rallies drew thousands, many dressed in black and waving Kenyan flags, chanting calls for justice, transparency, and good governance.

What began last year as resistance to new tax laws has morphed into a broader citizens’ movement demanding structural reforms. The protests, now in their second year, have gained momentum, drawing support from across the political and generational divide.

In Nairobi’s CBD, prominent figures such as MP Babu Owino and former Chief Justice David Maraga joined demonstrators, further energising the crowds.

The mood was defiant yet hopeful, until riot police intervened. Tear gas canisters were fired to disperse the swelling crowds, affecting even humanitarian spaces, including a medical camp near Jamia Mosque.

Scenes of chaos and confrontation mixed with solidarity circulated widely on social media. Livestreams captured moments of unity and police aggression, galvanising more supporters across the country, until a government-ordered media blackout came into effect.

The Communications Authority of Kenya issued a directive Wednesday afternoon, instructing all television and radio broadcasters to cease live coverage of the demonstrations. The regulator accused media houses of airing content that could incite public disorder.

Despite the information clampdown, protesters vowed to continue demonstrating, citing a moral obligation to honour the memory of those killed in last year’s protests.

Human rights groups say at least 60 people lost their lives during the 2024 unrest, which reached its peak when protesters stormed Parliament over the Finance Bill.