On Monday, December 30th, Kitengela Town buzzed with tension as police established a roadblock on Namanga Road, meticulously inspecting vehicles while a police helicopter circled above. Regional commanders have been ordered to keep a close watch on the unfolding situation, preparing for anticipated protests.
Sources indicate a collective decision among law enforcement to refrain from disrupting the demonstrations unless absolutely necessary, with expectations that the protests would remain subdued. Officers have been instructed to allow gatherings to proceed freely unless otherwise directed.
By 9 a.m., only a sparse number of protesters were observed in select areas of Nairobi, as police chief Adamson Bungei noted the city’s holiday exodus had left it relatively quiet. “We are monitoring the streets and have seen minimal gatherings,” he remarked.
Despite the low turnout, human rights advocates and kidnapping survivors are determined to push forward with nationwide protests against enforced disappearances in all 47 counties. Their aim is to compel the government to halt arbitrary arrests, free those believed to be abducted, and heed the demands raised by Generation Z during earlier protests.
The momentum builds as Kenyans abroad have previously shown solidarity, with demonstrations even reaching international venues like the International Criminal Court in The Hague. Meanwhile, the Independent Policing Oversight Authority is under orders to expedite investigations into recent kidnappings, with findings expected within three days.
By Nairobi