Plans to occupy Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on Tuesday, July 23, might have been a smokescreen by Gen Z to divert security forces as hundreds of protesters throng Central Business District (CBD) chanting “we are peaceful”.
Acting Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, had previously issued a warning to protesters against accessing JKIA, classifying it as a protected area.
“The Protected Areas Act Cap 204 Laws of Kenya prevents the entry of unauthorized persons into areas which have been declared to be protected areas. Protected Areas Order as clarified under its Legal Notice No. 9 of 2011, Second Schedule, include LPG Plant, the Bitumen Plant and Petroleum depots situated at the Embakasi Aviation Depot (JKIA),” Kanja said in a statement.
By midday, protests had been recorded in Kajiado, Mombasa and Kisumu. Live rounds were reportedly fired by the police in Pipeline, Imara Daima and mukuru kwa njenga. One person was shot dead in Kakamega while several were injured in Nairobi.
The youth were particularly angered by President William Ruto’s decision to reappoint six of the dismissed cabinet secretaries. On social media platforms, they criticized Ruto’s decision and argued that he should have nominated newly qualified candidates.
They also criticized the president for using public funds to finance numerous foreign trips that they believe yielded minimal benefit to the country.
A separate protest organized by pro-government demonstrators took place as they carried placards urging Gen Z to stay off the streets and give the president more time.
While patrolling the CBD and engaging the protesters, Nairobi Police Boss Adamson Bungei confirmed that security measures are in place. He assured that armed goons will not be allowed to disrupt the city.
On Wednesday, dozens of journalists staged a protest condemning police brutality and the government’s effort to suppress media freedom. The members of the fourth estate convened at the office of the Inspector General of Police to deliver their written petitions.
The protests were fueled by attacks on journalists reporting on the anti-government demonstrations. The arrest of the veteran journalist Macharia Gaitho which was acknowledged by the police as mistaken identity coupled with the shooting of Kameme Tv journalist Catherine Wanjeri ignited the calls for protest.
The Kenya Editors’ Guild (KEG) president Zubeida Kananu questioned why no one has been held accountable even as the police intentionally targeted journalists who operate within legal and ethical guidelines.
She also expressed her concerns over the lack of protection for journalists, who are being subjected to online harassment by having their phone numbers publicly shared.
“Why are we being called genocide journalists with our contacts splashed online? We are doing our work in an objective and fair manner and we will continue to do so without being cowed,” she said.
On Thursday, activist Boniface Mwangi and Hussein Khalid were arrested while participating in a peaceful demonstration honoring those who were killed during the protest.
Caroline Nduku Mutisya, aunt to Eric Mutisya who died after being hit by a teargas canister, was also apprehended.
The previous day, while announcing the additional nominated cabinet secretaries, President William Ruto called for the release of innocent protesters and promised to ensure that police brutality during the protests will be dealt with.
He added that the Government will provide necessary assistance to the families who lost their loved ones.
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