Police for Kenya don block key roads wey dey lead to central Nairobi as dem prepare for planned nationwide protests wey go mark two years since deadly Gen-Z-led anti-government demonstrations.
Protesters dey demand justice for more than 80 people wey die and dozens wey injure during 2024 anti-tax demonstrations and anniversary protests last year.
E get small clashes between police and protesters, with security forces dey fire tear gas and demonstrators dey throw stone for some areas.
But central Nairobi don empty as security forces block access, wey strand commuters for city outskirts, while many businesses and schools remain close.
Planned protests, wey dem mainly mobilise through social media platforms, dey expect to happen for major towns like Nairobi, Mombasa, and parts of central Kenya.
Police officers on horseback dey disperse crowds wey dey try to gather for Nairobi streets, wey remain empty as police set up roadblocks with water cannons to block demonstrators.
Footage from local TV station show flames and smoke dey rise for Githurai area near Nairobi, as protesters light fire during clash with police.
Police officers also dey see dey fire tear gas to disperse crowds wey gather for the area.
Several people don arrest by anti-riot police for Nairobi while dem dey try to access city centre.
Dozens of protesters turn up for coastal city Mombasa wey security forces escort dem.
Deputy police chief Gilbert Masengeli say dem mount roadblocks to ensure no criminal or weapon enter city, and add say the country remain calm, with citizens dey go about their daily activities without disruption.
“There are no blocked roads. We are just ensuring the safety of Kenyans. We are just checking if they are carrying weapons,” Masengeli tok.
“I am grateful because there are no vehicles being burnt and people are going about their work,” he add.
Some parents wey lose their pikin during 2024 protests don ask government to allow dem to peacefully remember their loved ones.
“We don’t want tear gas and running battles in the streets. We are too old for that,” one of the parents tell journalists for Nairobi.
Opposition leaders led by Kalonzo Musyoka, Martha Karua, and Eugene Wamalwa join families of victims to lay wreaths at parliament for honour of those wey die during 2024 demonstrations.
Authorities don urge protesters to remain peaceful and avoid acts of violence, looting, or destruction of property.
President William Ruto on Friday say people get right to protest but warn say anybody “mobilised to destroy property or cause chaos” no go tolerate.
Several political leaders, civil society groups, and human rights organisations don express support for peaceful demonstrations, dey describe dem as part of right to democratic expression wey dey protect under country constitution.
Ruto former deputy Rigathi Gachagua, now bitter rival, don urge Gen Z activists to stay away from streets, dey cite concern say protests fit turn violent.
Instead, he don call on Kenyans to remain at home for symbolic show of dissent.
Last week, President Ruto announce fund of nearly $15m (£11m) to compensate nearly 2,000 victims of protest-related human rights abuses between 2017 and 2025 wey rights groups identify.
Ruto say the compensation no be “price for life, pain or loss” and no suppose see am as reward for violence or criminality.
However, human rights organisations don reject the compensation plan, dey cite exclusion of some victims, inadequate pay-outs, and lack of transparency.
President Ruto dey face growing public discontent ahead of 2027 elections, with critics dey accuse im government of failing to deliver on key campaign promises.
He reject those claims, dey insist say im administration don fulfil most of im pledges and say im ready to defend im record as im dey seek re-election.
For June 2024, thousands of Kenyans protest against proposed tax hikes, wey culminate for storming of parliament and eventual withdrawal of controversial finance bill.
But security forces dey accuse of using excessive force, with BBC investigation find say police deliberately try to kill protesters.
For days wey follow, dozens of people dey reportedly abduct, allegedly by members of security forces.
Some dey later find badly beat, while others dey find dead, wey fuel concern over enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings.
