Nairobi police have warned that planned protests over rising fuel prices scheduled for Tuesday, April 21, will be treated as unlawful due to failure by organisers to follow legal procedures.
Speaking during a press briefing on Friday, Nairobi police commander Issa Mohamud said the National Police Service had not received any formal notification regarding the demonstrations, despite widespread mobilisation online.
The planned protests have been gaining traction on social media, where Kenyans have been voicing frustration over the recent increase in fuel prices and the broader cost of living. Posters calling for nationwide action have circulated widely, signalling growing public anger.
However, Mohamud emphasised that while the police do not oppose the constitutional right to picket, all public gatherings must comply with the law—specifically the requirement to issue a 14-day notice to authorities.
“We are aware of planned protests next week regarding fuel prices, but no notification has been given. This makes the protests unlawful, and we will take appropriate action,” he said.
He added that the notice requirement is essential for planning and ensuring public safety, including agreeing on protest routes and preventing disruption to businesses and private property.
According to the police chief, Nairobi has already hosted 18 lawful protests this month alone, all of which complied with the notification rules.
Authorities have also raised concerns about increasing cases of disorder during demonstrations. Mohamud noted that some organisers either fail to adhere to agreed routes or allow protests to devolve into violence and looting—issues he said will no longer be tolerated.
“We have observed incidents where protesters turn violent or engage in theft. Such actions will not be tolerated, and arrests will be made,” he warned, adding that organisers of both protests and political rallies must take responsibility for ensuring compliance.
Security Concerns and Crackdown on Gangs
Beyond the protests, police say they are stepping up efforts to tackle criminal activity in the city, particularly groups accused of exploiting public gatherings to carry out violence and theft.
Mohamud revealed that recent intelligence-led operations have led to the arrest of 84 suspected gang members across Nairobi. Among them, 48 are linked to motorcycle-based gangs, while 11 belong to organised groups operating on foot. Some suspects were found in possession of crude weapons, including bows and arrows.
Police have also recovered 124 motorcycles, nearly half of which are believed to have been used by criminal groups.
Echoes of Recent Protest Movements
The looming demonstrations come against the backdrop of a wave of youth-led protests that swept across Kenya between 2024 and 2025.
Largely driven by Gen Z activists, those protests were sparked by concerns over rising taxes, the high cost of living, alleged police brutality, and corruption.
What began as online mobilisation quickly escalated into nationwide demonstrations, including the storming of Parliament and widespread strikes. The unrest led to significant casualties, with dozens reported dead, and forced the government to withdraw the controversial 2024 Finance Bill.
It remains unclear whether the upcoming protests are being organised by the same networks or represent a new wave of discontent.
However, the current tensions suggest that public frustration over economic pressures continues to simmer – setting the stage for a potentially volatile week ahead.
