Plans to storm Jomo Kenyatta International Airport during Tuesday’s protests may have been a decoy by Gen Z to mislead security agencies.
While security remained tight at JKIA and on the roads leading to the airport, no protesters were seen near the critical installation, which Acting Police IG Douglas Kanja had declared a protected area. Kanja had warned protesters against trespassing.
Officers patrolled Outering Road on foot and in armored vehicles, although the area was mostly deserted in the early hours. Later, protesters assembled and blocked a section of the road. The airport saw minimal activity, with sparse traffic as police conducted thorough inspections at the checkpoint.
This was a stark contrast to the previous night's social media activity, where protesters shared humorous memes about their plans to invade the airport.
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By 1 p.m. Tuesday, the Central Business District, expected to be quiet, was filled with hundreds of protesters chanting "we are peaceful." These protests followed a demonstration by pro-government supporters carrying placards urging Gen Z to stay off the streets and allow the President to work. Placards read "Let's give the President time" and "Tumechoka na Gen Z" ("We are tired of Gen Z").
During the protests, a motorcycle was set on fire on Kenyatta Avenue, and police used teargas to disperse another group on Moi Avenue. Nairobi Police boss Adamson Bungei arrived in the CBD and interacted with the protesters, who continued to chant "we are peaceful."
Meanwhile, there was a heavy police presence along all State House access roads, with barricades at intersections. Another contingent of officers was stationed on Mombasa Road to prevent protesters from marching towards JKIA.
