President William Ruto is in Kilifi for a funeral, while protests continue to rock the country as Kenyans commemorate those who died during the anti-Finance Bill demonstrations in 2024.
The president, in the company of ODM leader Raila Odinga, is attending the funeral of Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung'aro's father, Mzee Gideon Baya Mung'aro Senior.
Protesters had began gathering in the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD) from as early as 9:00am, with other crowds converging in Mombasa, Nyeri, Kisii, Kajiado and Nakuru counties.
Footage seen by Kenyans.co.ke showed Ruto and Raila in Dabaso, Kilifi, as police engaged protesters in running battles in the Nairobi and other areas across the country.
As a symbol of national unity, most observers would suggest that Ruto would need to be close to the happenings of the nation’s capital. Even so, Ruto would possibly be in Kilifi for a limited period, and would potentially be back in Nairobi by the day end.
Speaking on Tuesday, Ruto warned Kenyans against provoking the police, pledging his full support towards the uniformed forces. He further credited them for the role they played in protecting the nation.
A ‘timetable’ shared online days before the protests had included a planned march to State House and the declaration of a 'new republic', aspects that directly affect the Presidency.
Even so, the government took proactive steps ahead of protests to manage the picketing, including the closing of roads, barricading entry to major government buildings such as Parliament, and deploying a heavy police presence in Nairobi’s Central Business District.
Despite protesters maintaining that the march will be peaceful, the State has not taken any chances, with Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen having a 5:00am meeting with senior police bosses on the morning of the protests.
Fears of goons infiltrating the protests had also been rife, especially after the scenes witnessed in last Tuesday’s protests following blogger Albert Ojwang's death in police custody.
Roadblocks in Nairobi
Police officers on Wednesday morning erected roadblocks along major roads leading to the CBD as part of efforts to contain the day’s planned protests.
Among the key roads affected were Jogoo Road, Ngong Road, Limuru Road, Kiambu Road, and Mombasa Road, where officers set up barricades to carry out impromptu checks.
Along Jogoo Road, a roadblock was mounted near City Stadium, while another was spotted near Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on Mombasa Road.
On Limuru Road, officers placed a roadblock near the Embassy of Israel, while another was positioned near Runda Mall along Kiambu Road.
