Rights Groups Condemn Police Roadblocks, Arrests During Gen Z Memorial Protests

A coalition of civil society organizations has accused the government and police of violating constitutional rights through roadblocks, arrests and the disruption of peaceful demonstrations during the Gen Z memorial protests held across Kenya on June 25. 

In a joint statement, the Police Reforms Working Group (PRWG) said the actions of security agencies contradicted assurances issued a day earlier by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen that peaceful and unarmed protesters would be protected and that the day would proceed normally. 

According to the lobby groups, Kenyans woke up to extensive police barricades and roadblocks on major routes leading into Nairobi and around Parliament Buildings, with similar restrictions reported in Embu, Nakuru, Machakos, Kajiado, Laikipia and Kiambu counties. 

The organizations argued that the restrictions denied millions of people access to workplaces, businesses and essential services, amounting to violations of constitutional rights, including freedom of movement, association and peaceful assembly. 

“The erection of barricades also disregarded a High Court order prohibiting blanket obstruction of public roads without timely notice,” the statement said. 

The rights groups further condemned what they described as the targeting of families of victims of the June 2025 anti-government protests, who had gathered outside Parliament to lay flowers in memory of their loved ones. 

“Following the wreath-laying, police dispersed mourners and arrested several individuals,” the organizations said, adding that the laying of flowers was a peaceful act protected under the Constitution. 

The coalition also raised concerns over reports that police deployed tear gas against peaceful demonstrators and journalists outside Nairobi’s Central Police Station, with several journalists allegedly arrested while covering the events. 

“Such actions violate media freedom and access to information. Journalists play a vital role in documenting public events and enabling accountability,” the statement said. 

The organizations further criticized the deployment of masked and unidentified police officers, saying the practice violated existing court orders requiring officers involved in public order operations to be identifiable. 

According to the PRWG, more than 361 people were arrested during the protests, including 161 in Nairobi and 123 in Kajiado County. The group also reported two injuries in Kajiado. 

The coalition argued that many of the arrests appeared to target individuals accused of mobilizing participation in the memorial protests, despite the Constitution protecting the organization and participation in peaceful assemblies. 

However, the organizations praised police officers in Mombasa for facilitating demonstrations without interference. 

“We commend the professionalism of police officers in Mombasa, who facilitated and accompanied peaceful demonstrators without interference. Their conduct demonstrates that rights-respecting policing is both possible and effective,” the statement said. 

The coalition called on the Executive to comply with court orders governing the policing of demonstrations, urged the National Police Service to halt unlawful arrests and excessive force, and demanded the immediate and unconditional release of those arrested during the protests. 

The organizations also called on Parliament to strengthen oversight of security agencies and urged the Judiciary to continue safeguarding constitutional rights and ensuring accountability for violations. 

The statement was signed by more than 20 organizations, including Amnesty International Kenya, Katiba Institute, ICJ Kenya, Transparency International Kenya and the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC).