Kenyan police arrested 355 people on Thursday as the country marked the two-year anniversary of the 2024 Finance Bill protests [1].
The heavy security presence underscores the lingering tension between the government and Gen Z activists who led the original movement. The 2024 crackdown resulted in more than 60 deaths [2], leaving a legacy of distrust and a demand for systemic accountability.
Authorities deployed extensive measures across Nairobi and other regions to control the commemorations. These measures included the installation of razor wire, the establishment of checkpoints, and the placement of roadblocks to restrict movement [3]. Small groups still gathered to honor the victims of the previous violence, despite the restrictive environment [3].
Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen addressed the security operations and the nature of the arrests. He said those detained are "criminals" [1]. The government's strategy focused on preventing a repeat of the widespread unrest that characterized the previous anniversary and the original protests [2].
While the state maintained a strict security posture, there have been efforts to address the aftermath of the 2024 events. Officials have set aside millions of shillings in funds intended for the victims and their families [3]. These payments aim to provide financial relief to those affected by the police response two years ago.
Despite the financial pledges, the atmosphere in the capital remained strained. The deployment of security forces suggests the government continues to view youth-led activism as a significant threat to public order [3].
“Those detained are "criminals"”
The combination of mass arrests and heavy militarization of city streets indicates that the Kenyan government remains in a defensive posture regarding the Gen Z-led protests. While the allocation of compensation funds suggests an acknowledgment of past harm, the classification of anniversary detainees as criminals shows a continued ideological divide between the state's definition of order and the activists' definition of protest.
