Heavy security deployed ahead of anti-finance bill protests

Heavy contingents of anti-riot police officers and the Kenya Defense Forces officers have been deployed in Nairobi and around State House ahead of planned Gen-Z Anti-Finance Bill protests.

Most businesses in the capital are closed and roads around key buildings blocked.

A big number of Kenyans on social media had vowed to continue the protests, which reportedly led to 22 deaths earlier this week.

This is despite President William Ruto withdrawing the controversial Finance Bill 2024/2025. All roads leading to State House Nairobi, Mombasa, Nakuru and Kisumu have been blockaded with officers turning away motorists and pedestrians.

A heavy contingent of KDF officers and their armored vehicles were also spotted patrolling the city streets ahead of the protests.

The military is set to back up the police officers in taming violent protesters who had vowed to storm the State House Nairobi, a protected area.

Yesterday the National Assembly adopted a motion by the leader of Majority Kimani Ichung’wa to pave way for deployment of KDF officers to supplement the National Police Service in civilian duties.

This comes after Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale gazetted the deployment of KDF officers in civilian duties.