Senior police commanders are actively collaborating in meetings to strategize for the upcoming anniversary of protests linked to the 2024 Gen Z demonstrations over the Finance Bill.
While officials anticipate limited protests, various units have convened recently to outline their approach.
At the General Service Unit headquarters, new Commandant Johana Tonui met with commanders designated for security hotspots, including Nairobi, Central Kenya, Machakos, Kajiado, Eldoret, and Kitale. Tonui emphasized the importance of maintaining professionalism during public demonstrations.
Anti-riot teams from the GSU will deploy to key locations ahead of Thursday’s operations. In Nairobi, areas like Parliament Square may have restricted access to authorized personnel only, to prevent disruptions during the commemorative period.
Parliament was previously a focal point of unrest in 2024, following the passage of the Finance Bill, resulting in over 200 fatalities. Additional casualties occurred last year during the first anniversary events.
Inspector-General of the National Police Service, Douglas Kanja, convened commanders to address the troubling rise of criminal gangs, linked to harassment of residents and certain politicians.
At a security summit at the National Police Leadership Academy, Kanja urged commanders to implement adaptive policing strategies that optimize resources for maintaining law and order for all Kenyans.
He issued a strong warning against the resurgence of criminal gangs, advocating a zero-tolerance policy for any police operational laxity.
Kanja reaffirmed the National Police Service’s dedication to public safety and the establishment of a secure environment essential for social and economic stability.
The summit united senior leaders from the Kenya Police Service, Administration Police Service, and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations to evaluate the security landscape, identify emerging crime trends, and formulate strategic interventions to enhance national security.
Accompanied by key deputy inspectors-general and the director of criminal investigations, Kanja praised senior officers for their proactive responses to evolving security threats and urged continued vigilance and professionalism.
Discussions covered various security issues, including the escalation of criminal gangs, goonism, money laundering, and cybercrime, all of which pose risks to public safety and economic stability.
Commanders reviewed intelligence management, inter-agency collaboration, and the necessity for disciplined, intelligence-led investigations to tackle increasingly intricate criminal networks.
They presented localized security assessments, highlighting threats, operational gaps, ongoing interventions, and challenges to effective service delivery.
Operational plans and response frameworks were also discussed to enhance prevention, detection, and disruption of criminal activities.
Following the summit, commanders held additional meetings to fine-tune operational details, assess local security environments, and align their priorities with the national security agenda.
