Advertisement
Gen Z protest commemoration: Parliament barricaded with barbed wire
25th June, 2026 09:47 AM
Nairobi’s city centre looked more like a tight security zone on Thursday morning, June 25, 2026. If you tried to get into town early, you probably noticed the sudden changes.
Police officers blocked several regular entry points, forcing public service vehicles to drop passengers far from their usual stops. Right in the middle of all this, the Parliament Buildings are completely sealed off behind heavy concrete blocks and thick layers of sharp barbed wire.
This major security lockdown comes after online calls for nationwide rallies to mark exactly two years since the Gen Z protests shook the country.
Teams from the Anti-Riot Police and the General Service Unit took up positions along Parliament Road, Harambee Avenue, and Kenyatta Avenue before sunrise.
Commuters and businesses face disruption
The heavy deployment means a difficult day for the everyday Kenyan trying to get to work or run errands. Coils of razor wire now line Parliament streets, cutting off regular pedestrian routes around the legislature.
Roadblocks on key transport corridors like Thika Road and Mombasa Road also slowed down morning traffic, leaving many commuters stranded in long queues.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen stated on Wednesday evening that normal business and school schedules should continue. He assured the public that the police would secure peaceful citizens but warned that anyone causing trouble or destroying property would face strict legal action.
“The Government will deal decisively, and in accordance with the law, with any individuals or groups seeking to exploit legitimate protests to cause chaos, engage in looting, destroy property, disrupt businesses, or commit any other criminal acts,” he said.
Even with those government assurances, many shop owners in the town centre chose to keep their doors locked to avoid potential losses.
Remembering the 2024 Parliament breach
The tight security on Thursday is a response to what happened on June 25, 2024. That date remains a critical turning point in Kenya’s recent political history, when thousands of young demonstrators managed to bypass police barriers and enter the Parliament compound during heated protests against the proposed Finance Bill.
The historic breach led to massive property damage and chaotic scenes inside the legislative house before security forces pushed the crowds out. More than 60 people lost their lives across the country during those weeks of nationwide unrest.
Two years down the line, the memory of that day remains fresh for many. With activists calling for peaceful memorial marches to honour those who died, security agencies are taking no chances with the safety of vital state installations.
