Kenya Protesters Dupe Police By Setting Up JKIA Protests Only To Divert
Plans by Gen Z to storm Jomo Kenyatta International Airport during Tuesday’s protests could have been a ruse to divert security agencies’ attention.
While security remained tight at the JKIA and on the roads leading to the airport, no protesters were seen near the critical installation, which acting Police Inspector General Douglas Kanja declared a protected area and warned protesters against trespassing.
A thief apprehended by the public at Stima Plaza in Nairobi city center. pic.twitter.com/YrEHhnoeW6
— Cyprian, Is Nyakundi (@C_NyaKundiH) July 23, 2024
Contingents of officers were seen patrolling Outering Road on foot and in armored vehicles early in the day, despite the fact that it was mostly deserted; protesters later gathered and blocked a section of the road.
Scenes at the airport showed little to no activity and very little traffic flow as police at the checkpoint conducted thorough inspections.
The image was diametrically opposed to what had occurred the night before on X when protesters shared hilarious memes of what they intended to do once inside the airport.
Police disperse a group that tried to march to JKIA along Mombasa Road near Imara, tear gas deployed #OccupyJKIA pic.twitter.com/JZRFRk8HT7
— Cyprian, Is Nyakundi (@C_NyaKundiH) July 23, 2024
Fast forward to 1 pm Tuesday, and the Central Business District, which was widely expected to remain quiet, was swarmed by hundreds of protesters chanting ‘We are peaceful’.
The protests were preceded by one organized by pro-government demonstrators who carried placards with a message urging Generation Z to stay off the streets and allow the President to work.
They carried placards reading “Let’s Give President Time” and “Tumechoka na Gen Z”.
At one point, a motorcycle was set on fire along Kenyatta Avenue, and police fired tear gas at another group on Moi Avenue.
Police are now indiscriminately firing tear gas canisters into residential areas in Pipeline. pic.twitter.com/jE4CkcIxLW
— Cyprian, Is Nyakundi (@C_NyaKundiH) July 23, 2024
Nairobi Police Chief Adamson Bungei arrived in the CBD and spoke with the protesters, who continued to chant ‘We are peaceful’.
All the while, there was a heavy police presence on all State House access roads, with barricades erected at intersections.
Another contingent of officers was stationed on Mombasa Road, working to prevent protesters from marching towards the JKIA.
Kenya Protesters Dupe Police By Setting Up JKIA Protests Only To Divert
