Nairobi Under Tight Security as Kenya Marks Second Anniversary of 2024 Anti-Finance Bill Protests

Nairobi awoke to a heavily fortified and largely deserted cityscape on Thursday as Kenyan police sealed off major routes leading into the Central Business District, citing intelligence about planned demonstrations marking the second anniversary of the 2024 anti-Finance Bill protests.

The heavy security presence, which included roadblocks on key arteries into the city centre, transformed normally bustling thoroughfares into near-empty corridors. Movement into and out of the central business district was significantly restricted from the early hours of the morning, well before the scheduled start of any commemorative activities.

Heightened Security Across the Capital

Police officers were deployed at multiple checkpoints along the main highways and feeder roads connecting Nairobi’s residential neighbourhoods to the city centre. Public service vehicles and private motorists alike were subjected to checks, while pedestrian access to certain streets was effectively blocked. The unusually quiet atmosphere stood in stark contrast to the city’s typical weekday rhythm, with businesses, government offices, and schools largely operating at reduced capacity or remaining closed.

Echoes of the 2024 Protests

The commemorations referred to the wave of public demonstrations that swept across Kenya in mid-2024, when citizens took to the streets to oppose a controversial finance bill that proposed a range of new tax measures. Those protests became one of the most significant episodes of civil unrest in recent Kenyan history, drawing large crowds, particularly of young Kenyans, who voiced frustration over the rising cost of living and questions of governance. The anniversary has, in subsequent years, remained a sensitive date on the country’s political calendar.

Restrictions and Public Response

Authorities framed the security measures as preventive actions aimed at safeguarding public order and protecting property. Civil society groups and political activists had previously indicated plans to use the anniversary to reflect on the events of 2024 and the broader questions of fiscal policy and accountability that sparked the original protests. With central Nairobi effectively sealed off, any such gatherings were forced to disperse or relocate.

The scale of the lockdown drew attention from observers monitoring civil liberties and the right to peaceful assembly in Kenya. Human rights organisations have, in the past, raised concerns about the use of blanket restrictions on movement during periods of anticipated unrest, urging authorities to balance security imperatives with constitutional freedoms.

Looking Ahead

As the day progressed, security forces maintained their positions across the city, and there were no immediate reports of major confrontations. The events underscored the lasting political resonance of the 2024 protests and the ongoing sensitivity surrounding public dissent in Kenya. With the Finance Bill debate continuing to shape national conversations about taxation and economic governance, the anniversary served as a reminder of the enduring tensions between the government, civil society, and a vocal younger generation demanding accountability.

Source: AllAfrica — read the original report.