Police ban protests within Nairobi CBD

Acting Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja. [Collins Kweyu, Standard]

Police have banned protests within the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD) for an unspecified period.

Acting Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja announcing the ban, cited intelligence reports indicating that criminal elements plan to infiltrate the demonstrations and cause destruction.

“No demonstrations will be permitted in the Nairobi CBD and its surroundings until further notice to ensure public safety. We have credible intelligence that organized criminal groups are planning to take advantage of the ongoing protests to execute their attacks, including looting,” Kanja said.

Hundreds of anti-riot police have been dispatched to guard and patrol Uhuru Park, where a group of young protestors indicated they would meet today under the hashtag #OccupyUhuruPark.

Kanja noted that enforcing safety protocols has been challenging because the demonstrators lack a designated leader to coordinate with police for peaceful protests.

"We appeal to the public to remain vigilant in crowded areas and support our collective safety and security by sharing any information that may aid the police in crime detection and prevention," he added.

On Tuesday during nationwide anti-government protests, police also warned about goons planning to infiltrate, disrupt, and destabilise the demos.

Authorities, acting on intelligence reports said “a criminal group” could jeopardise the safety of demonstrators.

The countrywide protests have been ongoing for nearly a month now, forcing President William Ruto to climb down and make several changes within the government, including firing his entire cabinet.