NAIROBI, Kenya Jun 24 – Activists have insisted that Thursday’s nationwide demonstrations commemorating victims of the Gen Z protests will proceed as planned despite warnings from security agencies and government officials.

The protests are expected to mark the anniversary of the June 25 anti-government demonstrations and honour those who lost their lives during last year’s unrest and the wider 2024 Gen Z movement.

Speaking during a press briefing, the organisers said the demonstrations would remain peaceful and constitutional, accusing the government of attempting to intimidate Kenyans from participating.

“We are commemorating fellow Kenyans who lost their lives. Demonstrating is a constitutional right and we will proceed peacefully,” activist Nyanjom Joshua said.

The activists called on Kenyans, particularly in Nairobi, to turn out in large numbers to demand justice and accountability for victims of protest-related violence.

At the same time, they warned against alleged attempts to deploy criminal gangs to infiltrate and disrupt the demonstrations.

“We are asking anyone planning violence or disruption to stay away. This is meant to be a peaceful commemoration,” activist Stephen Ouko stated.

Organisers urged demonstrators outside Nairobi to hold peaceful vigils near police stations while carrying flowers and Kenyan flags as symbols of remembrance.

Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) official Fredrick Ojiro encouraged protesters to maintain peace and avoid destruction of property or confrontation with police officers.

The activists also advised participants to document events using mobile phones, livestreams and hidden cameras to capture any incidents during the protests.

However, police have maintained that they have not received formal notifications authorising demonstrations in Nairobi and warned that security officers would respond firmly to any attempts to disrupt public order.

Nairobi County Commissioner Simon Osumba said law enforcement agencies were fully prepared ahead of Thursday’s planned protests.

“We know there are individuals who may try to take advantage of the situation to cause chaos, but security agencies are ready,” Osumba said.

Central Police Station OCPD Patrick Gogo urged Kenyans to continue with their normal activities, assuring business owners and residents that adequate security measures had been put in place.

Meanwhile, organisers in Mombasa said they had formally notified police of their planned demonstrations, with documents reportedly acknowledged by authorities last week.

Security sources also revealed that top-level meetings had been held in Nairobi to coordinate deployment plans ahead of the protests, with officers instructed to heighten surveillance in areas considered volatile.

The planned demonstrations come amid growing political tension and renewed calls for justice, accountability and police reforms following last year’s deadly protests.