BY CORRESPONDENTS
Security has been tightened in Embu town and Nairobi as Kenya braces for the first anniversary of the deadly June 25, 2024, anti-government protests that left several people dead.
In Embu, a heavy presence of anti-riot police was witnessed by early Wednesday morning. Business premises remained shut, and streets were largely deserted, with residents expressing fear over potential chaos.
Meanwhile, in Nairobi, key roads leading to State House have been cordoned off. Police have erected razor wire barricades and are stopping both motorists and pedestrians for questioning. Some access routes remain completely inaccessible as a precautionary measure.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen was seen patrolling Nairobi’s central areas, inspecting security arrangements ahead of expected demonstrations.
Authorities have urged calm, emphasizing that the right to peaceful assembly is protected under Article 37 of the Constitution. However, police warned that unlawful gatherings or destruction of property would be met with firm action.
Protesters are marking one year since fatal clashes erupted during cost-of-living demonstrations, with civil society groups calling for justice and reforms.
By the time of publishing, no major incidents had been reported, but tension remains high in multiple towns across the country.
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