A heavy police deployment locked down key access points into Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD) on Tuesday morning, as nationwide protests over controversial tax measures gathered momentum.
Dozens of riot officers, equipped with shields, batons, and tear gas launchers, were stationed at strategic intersections and entry roads including Kenyatta Avenue, Moi Avenue, and Haile Selassie Avenue.
Armoured vehicles and water cannon trucks were also spotted near Parliament and City Hall, as security forces sought to deter demonstrators from entering the capital’s core.
The crackdown follows days of growing unrest sparked by the government’s proposed Finance Bill 2025, which includes tax hikes on fuel, mobile money transfers, and basic commodities.
Protesters, largely mobilised through social media under the #RejectFinanceBill2025 hashtag, have vowed to keep up pressure until the legislation is scrapped.
“The Finance Bill is a death sentence for the youth and the poor,” said one protester in Nairobi, who asked not to be named.
“We are being punished for an economic crisis we didn’t create.”
The police blockade has caused major traffic disruptions across Nairobi, with commuters forced to walk long distances as public transport vehicles were diverted or turned away.
Businesses in the CBD opened late or remained closed altogether amid fears of violence.
Human rights groups have expressed concern over the use of force, especially after reports emerged of arbitrary arrests and injuries during similar protests earlier in the week.
“The right to peaceful assembly must be respected,” said a spokesperson from the Kenya Human Rights Commission.
“Blocking access to the city centre only escalates tensions and infringes on civil liberties.”
As Parliament continues to debate the bill, the stand-off between protesters and authorities shows no sign of abating.
With more demonstrations expected in coming days, the capital remains on edge — and the voices of discontent grow louder.
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