Activists insist June 25 protest to go ahead despite police warning

However, the activists have warned the government against the use of force to disrupt peaceful protests and what they claim could be the deployment of goons to interfere with Thursday’s demonstrations.

With just one day to go before demonstrations to commemorate victims of the anti-government protests held on June 25, 2025, as well as those of 2024, the activists have said the protests will proceed as scheduled across the country.

They say large demonstrations are expected in Nairobi and have urged Kenyans to turn out in large numbers to demand justice for the victims, which they say is yet to be achieved.

“We are telling the people who are questioning why we are demonstrating; that’s our right as per the Constitution. It’s commemoration,” said activist Nyanjom Joshua.

Insisting that the protests are peaceful, the activists say the government has no authority to stop them since the right to demonstrate is constitutionally protected, and that police had already received notification of the planned demonstrations.

They have also warned of the possibility of goons being deployed to disrupt the demonstrations.

“We are urging the government and any goons who might be used to disrupt it to stay away. It’s not a day to fight; we only pray it will be peaceful,” said activist Stephen Ouko.

They have called on Kenyans participating in demonstrations outside Nairobi to hold peaceful protests outside police stations while carrying flowers and national flags.

“Wakenya ambao hawako Nairobi waandamane kwa maua na bendera, lakini kwa amani mbele ya vituo vya polisi,” said KHRC officer Fredrick Ojiro.

The activists have also urged participants to record and livestream events on social media and to wear hidden cameras to document any instances of excessive use of force by police.

However, police officers have maintained that they have not received any notification seeking authorization for the demonstrations, despite organizers and opposition leaders, led by Martha Karua and James Orengo, submitting such a request last Thursday on behalf of all 47 counties. Police have vowed that no demonstrations will be allowed to take place.

“None of the police stations have received a protest notification. However, we know some will take advantage and cause chaos. We are prepared to deal with those,” said Nairobi County Commissioner Simon Osumba.

Patrick Gogo, OCPD Central Police Station, added: “Go on with your duties. We have put enough measures in place to ensure security. Kenyans should go to work; it will be safe. Open your businesses; we will provide security.”

In Mombasa, activists notified the police of their planned peaceful protest, indicating that the demonstration will proceed. The notification was received and signed by police on June 20, 2026.

Sources within security agencies have informed Citizen TV that two high-level security meetings were held in Nairobi on Monday evening and Tuesday morning to strategize ahead of Thursday’s protests. All regional commanders were reportedly given firm instructions not to allow any form of protest in their regions, and volatile areas have been marked for enhanced deployment.