Nairobi, Kenya – Kenya’s capital, Nairobi is under lockdown as security forces block all major entry roads into the city centre in anticipation of nationwide Gen Z-led protests scheduled for later this week.
Much of central Nairobi had turned into a ghost town, shops closed, streets eerily silent, and heavily armed police stationed at nearly every intersection.
The dramatic move comes exactly one year after Kenya’s youth launched a series of anti-government protests demanding political reforms and economic justice.
Some schools have instructed students to remain home, fearing that the protests could escalate. Residents have reported an unusual military presence, while businesses across the Central Business District (CBD) remain shuttered.
“It feels like we’re back to last year’s chaos. The government should engage with the youth instead of suppressing them.”
This latest mobilization, primarily fueled through social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok, signals the ongoing unrest within Kenya’s youth population, unemployed, underpaid, and increasingly disillusioned with President William Ruto’s leadership.
“We are not thugs, we are the future!” read one protester’s placard during a brief morning skirmish in Kisii town.
As of publication, no official statement has been issued by the Ministry of Interior or the State House. However, political analysts warn that continued suppression without dialogue could deepen the national divide.
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