Crowds began gathering outside Nairobi’s Central Police Station on Wednesday morning to mark the anniversary of last year’s deadly Gen Z demonstrations and demand justice for Albert Ojwang, who died in police custody.
The incident happened shortly after a group of demonstrators waving placards and chanting slogans calling for justice and accountability while approaching the station.
They approached the station before police lobbed the day’s first teargas canisters, dispersing the group.
Ojwang’ died in police custody at Nairobi’s Central Police Station on June 7, just hours after he was arrested by DCI officers from his father’s compound in Homa Bay.
The protests, which have been widely publicised as peaceful commemorations of the June 25, 2024, protests, are being held to honour youth who died during last year’s anti-Finance Bill demonstrations.
So far, there had been no reports of violence or destruction before the teargas incident.
Security in the city remains tight, with razor wire barricades and heavily armed police positioned near key government buildings, including Parliament.
The use of tear gas at Central Police Station marks the first police action of the day amid growing concerns about how security agencies will handle the anticipated turnout.
On the other hand, 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.
This came as Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen reaffirmed the government's commitment to maintaining peace and protecting livelihoods ahead of a planned protest, urging Kenyans to focus on building the nation.
Murkomen made the remarks on his social media handles Wednesday morning after arriving at his office at Harambee House, where he was pictured alongside Deputy Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli and Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja.
“We have a Nation to keep and build,” Murkomen said in a statement.
