Citizen TV reporter Immanuel Ndung’u was forced to abandon a live broadcast after police deployed a high-intensity acoustic device during the June 25 anniversary demonstrations in Nairobi’s central business district.
Ndung’u was reporting from the scene when a police vehicle fitted with the equipment moved toward protesters. Moments later, a piercing sound filled the area, prompting people nearby to flee.
The journalist also ran from the scene before later describing what he had experienced.
“I don’t know what that was. I have never heard a noise that loud. It was so loud that everyone just ran to spare their eardrums. Mine is still ringing,” he said.
The device, commonly known as a Long-Range Acoustic Device (LRAD), emits an extremely loud directional sound that can be used to communicate over long distances or disperse crowds. Depending on the volume and proximity, prolonged exposure may cause pain or hearing problems.
Witnesses said the loud sound emptied parts of the street within seconds as protesters, journalists and bystanders rushed away from the area.
Later in the day, Ndung’u reported that the situation in the CBD had become calmer, with fewer protesters remaining in the streets.
Videos of the incident quickly spread across social media, where many Kenyans said it was the first time they had seen such equipment used during a public demonstration in the country.
Some users identified the device as an LRAD and noted that similar equipment has been used by law enforcement agencies in several countries during crowd-control operations. Others questioned whether its deployment was appropriate, raising concerns about its potential effects on hearing and public safety.
The incident unfolded during demonstrations marking two years since the June 25, 2024 anti-Finance Bill protests. Police maintained a heavy presence across Nairobi throughout the day, with officers deployed at key locations as crowds gathered to commemorate those who lost their lives during the 2024 demonstrations.