A bonfire lit in Kinoo/SCREENGRABPolice have swiftly responded to a bonfire that had been lit by unknown individuals at Mama Ngina stage in Kinoo, Kiambu County, ahead of the anticipated Gen-Z-led nationwide protests.
The fire, set in the middle of the road, caused traffic disruption along the busy route, with several vehicles seen struggling to navigate around the burning heap.
Thick plumes of black smoke billowed into the sky, creating visibility challenges for motorists and pedestrians.
In a video circulating online on Wednesday morning, the bonfire appeared to have been ignited using tyres and other flammable material, a tactic often used during demonstrations to block roads and signal unrest.
Police officers were seen dousing the flames and clearing debris in an effort to restore order and ensure the smooth flow of traffic.
The incident comes hours before planned protests spearheaded
by young Kenyans across major towns in the country, largely driven by
discontent over governance issues.
Anti-riot police braced the morning breeze to block major roads leading to the State House, Nairobi, ahead of the start of the anniversary of the June 25 protests.
The team stopped and questioned motorists and pedestrians headed to the house on the hill.
This is part of the strategies to stop any planned march to the State House, officials said.
The personnel used razor wire on some routes to block the roads.
More personnel were also positioned around the Parliament Building to stop any strangers from going there.
Some motorists complained police had turned them back on major roads.
Murkomen, accompanied by some top police commanders, said he wanted to assess the situation.
He also visited the office of the Inspector General at Jogoo House.
This came as Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen patrolled parts of the city to assess the situation.
Authorities vowed to maintain law and order during the
protests while urging demonstrators to remain peaceful and within the confines
of the law.
