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Police mount roadblocks as Kenyans mark June 25 Gen Z memorial
25th June, 2026 07:31 AM
Police mounted roadblocks and security checkpoints across major roads leading into Nairobi on Thursday morning, June 25, 2026, as Kenyans marked the second anniversary of the June 25, 2024, Gen Z protests.
The heightened security presence was evident as early as 6 a.m., with police officers conducting checks and restricting access to key parts of the city ahead of planned memorial activities and demonstrations.
At Githurai, commuters were left stranded after matatus were blocked from entering the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD). Private vehicles were also stopped by police, causing delays for motorists and passengers travelling into the city.
Along Thika Road, a police roadblock was established at Allsops, where officers were seen monitoring traffic and carrying out inspections on vehicles heading towards the city centre.
Security checkpoints were also set up along Jogoo Road at the City Stadium roundabout, with motorists encountering increased police presence on routes leading to Nairobi’s CBD.
Meanwhile, police erected barricades at Bunyala Roundabout, one of the major access points into the city, as part of efforts to manage movement and maintain security during the commemorations.
Police also barricaded several key entry points into Nairobi, blocking matatus from accessing the CBD through Lang’ata Road and Mombasa Road.
Similar restrictions were reported in Athi River and Mlolongo, where public service vehicles and private motorists experienced delays as security officers intensified checks ahead of the planned protests and memorial events.
The roadblocks came as Kenyans gathered to remember those who lost their lives during the anti-government protests of June 2024. The demonstrations, largely driven by Gen Z, saw thousands of young people take to the streets to protest against governance issues, taxation policies, and the rising cost of living.
June 25 memorial
The June 25 anniversary has been marked by memorial events, prayers, and calls for justice for victims who died or were injured during last year’s protests.
While authorities have maintained that the security measures are intended to preserve public order and protect lives and property, some commuters expressed frustration over the disruptions caused by the roadblocks and traffic restrictions.
By mid-morning, security remained heightened in several parts of Nairobi as the country continued to commemorate the lives lost during the historic Gen Z-led demonstrations that captured national and international attention.
The anniversary serves both as a memorial for those who died and as a reminder of the demands for accountability, justice, and reforms that emerged from the protests.
