NAIROBI, Kenya — Nairobi Regional Police Commander George Seda has declared that security organs are fully prepared for the planned June 25, 2025 demonstrations, scheduled for next Wednesday, which will commemorate the momentous Gen Z protests of last year.
Speaking during a press briefing on Wednesday evening, Commander Seda confirmed that police had received official communication from the organizers of the upcoming protests. He sought to reassure the public that security forces were fully prepared to ensure the safety of all citizens.
“We have the plan and we shall be there to provide enough and good security to ensure every person who is going to participate and those not going to participate will be safe, for that matter,” said Seda.
He added: “As for June 25th, we have enhanced plans. We equally have a copy of the letter which was delivered to Central (Police Station).”
Commander Seda appealed to demonstrators to maintain peaceful conduct and to refrain from provoking law enforcement, citing such actions as a cause of violence in recent demonstrations.
“Let’s restrict ourselves to what we call peaceful demonstrations. Let’s not have demonstrations which are going to interfere with other people who may not be part of the demonstrators,” he urged.
He emphasized the disruption posed by violence, explaining: “Remember, it will be a working day and we shall be having people operating hotels, shops and other businesses. We are looking uncivilised when we start converging, and then as we continue, it turns violent and beats the logic of conducting it, which makes the situation worse.”
He further cautioned against confrontational behavior during the protests, referencing recent incidents in Nairobi CBD where some civilians protesting the murder of teacher Albert Ojwang violently confronted officers.
“When we become reactive, and you even saw last Thursday when people were provoking armed officers — we are not there to be at war with you, the public, but to provide security,” he stated.
The upcoming protests are intended to mark the one-year anniversary of the historic Gen Z demonstrations on June 25, 2024.
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During that momentous event, youthful protesters famously broke through Parliament barricades and entered the complex as lawmakers were debating the contentious Finance Bill 2024, which had sparked widespread public outrage.
According to Amnesty International Kenya, hundreds of protesters breached police barriers outside parliament in Nairobi, with police reportedly firing live rounds and injuring “many” people.
A section of Parliament housing offices was also set on fire as protesters stormed the buildings, accompanied by heavy gunfire from police officers battling the defiant crowd.
The police have assured that both demonstrators and non-demonstrators will be protected during the upcoming protests.
