Police Flood Nairobi Streets In Show Of Force As Kenya Marks Gen Z Protest Anniversary

Police Flood Nairobi Streets in Show of Force as Kenya Marks Gen Z Protest Anniversary Kenyan police mounted a heavy security presence and deployed a show of force across parts of the capital on Thursday as the country marked the second anniversary of the 2024 Gen Z-led protests, a landmark anti-government uprising that shook the nation over tax hikes, corruption concerns, and rising living costs. The 2024 demonstrations, which peaked on June 25 when protesters stormed parliament, left dozens dead after a violent crackdown by security forces, and have since become a symbol of youth-led political resistance in Kenya. On Thursday, police blocked major roads leading into Nairobi’s central business district, set up roadblocks, and deployed water cannon trucks in anticipation of planned remembrance marches by activists and families of victims. Authorities also shut down sections of the city and cordoned off sensitive areas, including parliament, as crowds attempted to gather to lay flowers and hold commemorative events. Despite the restrictions, groups of protesters still attempted to assemble in different parts of the capital, prompting security forces to fire tear gas to disperse gatherings and detain several individuals.The protests being commemorated began in 2024 as opposition to a controversial finance bill that proposed new taxes during a period of high inflation and economic hardship. The movement rapidly escalated into nationwide demonstrations led largely by young Kenyans, culminating in the dramatic storming of parliament.Security forces responded with force, and the unrest left dozens of people dead, sparking widespread condemnation from human rights groups and renewed scrutiny of police conduct during demonstrations. On Thursday, families of victims and civil society groups renewed calls for justice, compensation, and accountability for those killed during the 2024 crackdown. Protesters also demanded deeper investigations into alleged police brutality and the prosecution of officers involved in the killings.The government has previously acknowledged abuses by security forces and pledged compensation for victims, though activists argue that progress has been slow and incomplete. For many young Kenyans, the anniversary has become more than a remembrance date, evolving into a recurring symbol of resistance against economic inequality, governance failures, and police violence.While authorities urged calm and warned against disruption, the day underscored lingering tensions between the state and a generation of activists who continue to demand systemic reforms. As Kenya marked the anniversary under tight security, the events highlighted both the lasting political impact of the 2024 Gen Z uprising and the ongoing struggle over how the country remembers one of its most turbulent episodes in recent history.