Acting Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja has announced that the National Police Service has banned all protests in Nairobi Central Business District and its surroundings due to the violent nature and lack of a recognized leader of the demonstrations.
According to a statement issued by the National Police, they have received reports of an armed group planning to infiltrate the protests and cause mayhem, as the protests lack a designated leader who should have notified the police prior to conducting the demonstrations.
“We would like to caution the public that due to the protests lacking a recognized leader, enforcement of security protocols has become challenging and not in line with the constitution. Consequently, no demonstrations will be permitted in the Nairobi CBD and its surroundings until further notice to ensure public safety. We urge the public to remain vigilant in crowded areas and report any incidents to support our collective efforts in crime detection and prevention,” said the statement issued by the National Police Service.
The youth had vowed to return to the streets to make their voices heard and compel those in authority to act on their demands rather than engage in dialogue with the political class.
These protests have led to the president sending home all cabinet members, a move seen as a concession, but youth still seek further action from the executive to disband the parliament and call for fresh elections, arguing that MPs no longer represent their interests.