Following weeks of youth-led demonstrations, acting Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja recently announced a ban on protests within Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD) for an indefinite period. This decision sparked online outrage, with some questioning the legality of the ban.
Kanja justified the ban citing safety concerns. He claimed the protests, initially sparked by the Finance Bill 2024, had been infiltrated by criminal elements leading to property damage and loss of life. Additionally, the lack of identified protest leaders made security management difficult, according to Kanja.
Heavy Police Presence
Hundreds of anti-riot police patrolled the streets of Nairobi in response to the ban and potential protests. This move came after reports of a planned protest on July 18th.The demonstrations, initially fueled by anger over the Finance Bill on social media platform TikTok, transformed into a broader movement against perceived excessive taxation and lack of government accountability.
Young people, often referred to as Gen Z, played a significant role, live-streaming clashes with police and utilizing social media to spread awareness.
The impact of the protest ban and the police response remains to be seen. With no clear leadership, the movement presents a unique challenge for authorities.