JKIA is a protected area, police warn ahead of Tuesday demos

Police have warned protesters against accessing protected areas ahead of Tuesday’s planned anti-government demonstrations in Nairobi.

Protesters have since President William Ruto dropped the contentious Finance Bill, 2024, late last month continued with demos against his administration, calling for an overhaul of the entire government. Others also call for his resignation.

Ahead of this week, protesters have been mobilising online for a Tuesday march to the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) dubbed ‘OccupyJKIA’ after a previous Parliament buildings edition dubbed ‘OccupyParliament’ and the ‘OcuppyCBD’ march in the Nairobi city centre.

However, acting Police Inspector General Douglas Kanja on Monday said while it is every Kenyan’s right to protest, they must take note of the legal boundaries that govern access to protected areas.

“The Protected Areas Act Cap 204 Laws of Kenya prevents the entry of unauthorized persons into areas which have been declared to be protected areas. Protected Areas Order as clarified under its Legal Notice No. 9 of 2011, Second Schedule, include LPG Plant, the Bitumen Plant and Petroleum depots situated at the Embakasi Aviation Depot (JKIA),” the police boss said in a statement.

He added that the Kenya Civil Aviation Act provides that any person who trespasses on any land forming part of a government aerodrome or an aerodrome commits an offence punishable by law.

“We urge all individuals participating in demonstrations to respect these legal provisions and refrain from attempting to enter or interfere with protected areas. The National Police Service is resolute in its commitment to uphold and enforce these laws,” Kanja said.