Police Cordon Parliament with Razor Wire Ahead of Gen-Z Anniversary Protests

Massive security deployment as Kenya’s youth prepare to mark first anniversary of deadly 2024 demonstrations

NAIROBI, Kenya – Kenyan police have erected razor wire barriers around Parliament Buildings and deployed anti-riot officers across major roads leading to the capital as Gen-Z protesters prepare to mark the first anniversary of last year’s deadly anti-government demonstrations.

The heavy security presence comes as Kenya’s youth movement plans to return to the streets on June 25, 2025, exactly one year after protesters stormed Parliament in an unprecedented breach that left several demonstrators dead and shocked the nation.

A comprehensive security operation has transformed central Nairobi into a fortress-like zone, with authorities taking no chances ahead of what protesters have dubbed a day of remembrance for those killed during the 2024 anti-Finance Bill protests.

Police have sealed off all access routes to Parliament Square, deploying officers along critical arteries including Waiyaki Way, Mombasa Road, Thika Road, and Ngong Road.

The razor wire installation around Parliament Road serves as a stark reminder of the tensions that have persisted since last year’s historic protests.

Many businesses in the capital have shuttered their doors, and streets remain largely empty after opposition leaders declared Wednesday a “public holiday” in honor of the Gen-Z protesters who lost their lives in 2024.

The security measures reflect authorities’ determination to prevent a repeat of last year’s dramatic events, when thousands of young protesters overwhelmed security forces and gained access to Parliament Buildings. In scenes that captured global attention, demonstrators occupied the National Assembly Chambers and helped themselves to meals in the MPs’ canteen before being dispersed.

That historic breach came at a heavy cost, with several Gen-Z protesters losing their lives in clashes with security forces – deaths that continue to fuel anger and demands for accountability.

Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja issued a stern warning on Tuesday, urging protesters to avoid “protected areas” during Wednesday’s planned demonstrations.

In a brief press conference lasting less than ten minutes, Kanja emphasized that police would “act within the law to protect lives and property.”

“We urge protesters to demonstrate peacefully and officers will remain vigilant,” Kanja stated, flanked by senior security officials including DCI boss Amin Mohamed, GSU Commandant Ranson Lolmodoni, and Nairobi County Commander George Seda.

Nairobi Police Chief George Seda had earlier assured the public that security agencies were fully prepared for the protests. “We have a plan, and we shall provide sufficient and effective security to ensure everyone—whether participating in the protests or not—is safe,” Seda said on June 18.

This year’s demonstrations carry the dual purpose of commemorating fallen protesters while maintaining pressure on the government to address core grievances. The Gen-Z movement has vowed to continue fighting against what they describe as police brutality, extrajudicial killings, and systematic injustices.

The protesters’ demands center on upholding the rule of law and ending what they characterize as a pattern of state-sanctioned violence against peaceful demonstrators. The movement has evolved from its origins as opposition to specific financial legislation into a broader call for governmental accountability and reform.

The anniversary protests represent a critical test of Kenya’s democratic space and the government’s response to sustained youth activism. The elaborate security preparations underscore the authorities’ recognition of the movement’s continued mobilization capacity and the potential for renewed confrontation.

As Kenya observes this first anniversary, the razor wire around Parliament serves as both a physical barrier and a powerful symbol of the ongoing tensions between the state and a generation of young Kenyans demanding fundamental change.

The events of June 25, 2025, will likely be closely watched both domestically and internationally as a measure of Kenya’s commitment to protecting peaceful protest while maintaining public order.