Nairobi Unrest: Bungei Addresses Demonstrators, JKIA Operations Slow

Anti-government protesters gathered in Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD) on Tuesday amidst a heavy police presence.

Nairobi Regional Commander Adamson Bungei and other law enforcement officials patrolled the area with Bungei addressing the crowd before being met with peaceful chants as he retreated to a police vehicle. The demonstrations, primarily led by Generation Z, have significantly disrupted business activities in the CBD. Many shops remained closed on Tuesday morning in anticipation of potential unrest. Acting Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja characterizes the demonstrations as opportunities for criminal elements to engage in theft and property destruction.

Kanja criticizes protest organizers for failing to comply with the Public Order Act which mandates advance notification to law enforcement. He emphasizes that adherence to these legal provisions could have prevented the current state of disorder. The Acting Inspector General has also urged the public to remain vigilant in crowded areas and to provide information that could aid police in crime prevention during protests. These protests in Nairobi are part of a larger wave of anti-government demonstrations sweeping across Kenya. Driven by economic hardships, unemployment, and perceived government corruption, the youth have been at the forefront of these movements, utilizing social media for organization and mobilization.

Despite the protesters’ peaceful chants, tension persists in the CBD. Business owners and residents voice their concerns about the ongoing demonstrations and their impact on livelihoods. Many have called for a peaceful resolution to the underlying issues, urging both the government and protesters to engage in constructive dialogue. The protests have attracted international attention with various human rights organizations calling on the Kenyan government to respect the rights of peaceful demonstrators. These groups have urged authorities to address the root causes of the unrest rather than resorting to heavy-handed tactics.

Meanwhile, the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) has today experienced low activity levels as protests in the city continue to intensify.
Security measures have been heightened both inside and outside the facility resulting in stringent access control. As of publication, only a small number of vehicles can be observed entering and leaving the premises with the customary sounds of aircraft landings and takeoffs conspicuously absent. According to reports, some flights are rerouted to alternative airports in Mombasa and Eldoret due to security concerns.