Police officers on Tuesday morning arrested two activists, Julius Kamau and Collins Otieno, at the Jeevanjee Gardens in Nairobi over alleged plans to march to the State House.
Reports indicate that the duo were planning to march in solidarity with families of victims of the 2024 and 2025 anti-government protests to demand compensation.
Witnesses revealed that the arrest took place shortly before the said families assembled at the Jeevanjee Gardens ahead of the march.
Kamau and Otieno were arrested by heavily armed uniformed police officers and taken away in a police vehicle to the Central Police Station.
"I have been arrested. We are at the central police station to join the mothers of victims of police. They arrested Collins Otieno and me," Kamau wrote on his X account.
Despite the two being booked at the Central Police Station, the police did not immediately disclose the charges against them. The arrests quickly sparked tensions at the Jeevanjee Gardens.
Footage seen by Kenyans.co.ke showed a police presence within the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD) even as a small group of people were spotted hoisting Kenyan flags as they peacefully marched along Kenyatta Avenue.
Meanwhile, Otieno and Kamau's arrests have been condemned by other activists who have accused the government of allegedly contravening the duo's rights.
Taking to his X account, Vocal Africa Chief Executive Officer Hussein Khalid described the incident as shameful, calling on the National Police Service to release the two activists.
"Shame. Why arrest someone for standing with the mothers of victims? NPS remains largely a force and not a service. Instead of serving the people, they’re violating the people. Free Julius Kamau," he commented.
The latest development comes a day after parents and relatives of youths killed during the 2024–2025 anti-government protests announced plans to march to the State House today.
In a formal notice to police, the families said the peaceful procession would begin at Jeevanjee Gardens at 9 am before heading to State House.
The families accused the government of allegedly delaying justice and compensation disbursement, despite a presidential proclamation issued on August 8, 2025, which established a framework for reparations to victims of police brutality.
