Kenyan police arrested multiple protesters and activists today as nationwide demonstrations marked the second anniversary of the deadly 2024 and 2025 anti-Finance Bill protests.
Among those detained was prominent activist Longton, who was arrested while driving his brother’s vehicle, which had a Kenyan flag mounted on it.
The incident occurred amid a heavy security crackdown as commemorative events honoring victims of previous Gen Z-led demonstrations unfolded across the country.
Aslam Longton was today intercepted and arrest while driving his brother’s car in Kitengela the car was detained.
According to his brother Kamil Longton, Aslam had a Kenyan flag in his car something which he said triggered the police to arrest him.
While wondering if having a Kenya flag was a crime, Kamil stated that “we are waiting tomorrow for him to be arraigned in court to see the charges labeled against. They better not fabricate because there are witnesses who saw him got arrested”
Hundreds of demonstrators gathered in key locations including Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD), near Parliament Buildings, Githurai, Kitengela, and Bunyala Roundabout.
Participants laid wreaths, sang remembrance songs, and demanded justice for those killed or forcibly disappeared during earlier protests.
Prominent activists such as Boniface Mwangi and Hussein Khalid led marches to Central Police Station, calling for the immediate release of all those detained.
Police confirmed several arrests for unlawful assembly and related offenses.
Nairobi County Police Commander Issa Mohamud acknowledged the detentions but did not provide an exact number, urging activists and victims’ families to disperse after laying wreaths outside Parliament.
Human rights monitors reported dozens of detentions across various police stations. Notable arrests included activist Bob Njagi in Kitengela and several individuals in the Nairobi CBD for carrying flags and flowers.
Heavy police deployments, barricades, and traffic disruptions affected long-distance buses entering the CBD. Tear gas was deployed during scattered confrontations, including against a United Opposition motorcade.
While gatherings in Mombasa remained relatively peaceful, tensions remained high in the capital.
The demonstrations commemorate the violent 2024 protests, during which demonstrators stormed Parliament over the contentious Finance Bill, resulting in dozens of deaths.
Similar commemorations in 2025 also turned deadly. Organizers described today’s events as peaceful acts of remembrance, calling for accountability, justice for victims, and an end to police brutality.
Activists and opposition figures condemned the arrests as an attempt to suppress peaceful protest and vowed to sustain their demands for justice.
The government and police emphasized the need to maintain law and order, protect lives, and prevent chaos. Public reactions were mixed: many residents avoided the CBD due to disruptions.
As evening fell, the situation remained fluid. Authorities advised citizens to avoid hotspots and go home.
