As Katiba Day approaches on August 27th, marking the 14th anniversary of the 2010 Constitution, a group of determined youths gathered in Nairobi's Central Business District (CBD) today to raise awareness about the upcoming nationwide anti-government protests scheduled for Tuesday. However, their peaceful march was abruptly halted when police arrested several leaders, forcing the demonstration to end prematurely.
Before the arrests, the protesters held a press briefing to outline their plans for the Tuesday protests. This comes as many Kenyans believed that the momentum of the anti-government demonstrations had faded after the less successful Nanenane protests.
Katiba Day now seems to have reignited the spirit of resistance that had dwindled since the failed Nanenane demonstrations on August 8th. Booker Omolo, Chairman of the People’s Assembly, declared, "Tomorrow, August 27th, Katiba Day will not just be a day of commemoration but a day of mass action. We demand President William Ruto’s immediate resignation."
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Kasmuel Mcoure, spokesperson for the People’s Assembly, added, "As Katiba turns 14 tomorrow, we urge you to reflect on whether the Constitution has been respected."
Generation Z, the People’s Assembly, and 54 other revolutionary groups are planning protests across the country, continuing their demand for President Ruto’s resignation. They accuse him of failing to uphold the Constitution and address critical issues such as corruption, youth unemployment, and the high cost of living.
Activist Wanjira Wanjiru emphasized, "We cannot continue living in an active crime scene and do nothing about it. We cannot stand idly by as corruption and injustice run rampant."
The protesters are also demanding justice for those killed, injured, or disappeared during previous anti-government protests, noting the ongoing rise in cases of forced abductions and disappearances. Kasmuel Mcoure further stated, "We demand the release of the Kitengela 3 and urge you to reflect tomorrow on whether the Constitution has been respected."
Criticizing the broad-based government as unconstitutional and politically motivated, the protesters announced plans to launch a signature collection drive for a referendum to amend the Constitution, dubbed the “People’s Assembly Referendum.”
Activist Prof. Fred Ogolla questioned, "Those telling us to give Ruto more time, tell us—more time to do what? He knows what we want." Booker Omolo added, "The broad-based government is just a strategy for President Ruto to win the 2027 election."
Despite the recent slowdown in anti-government protests, a section of the youth remains resolute, calling for a total shutdown on Katiba Day. Only time will tell if the protests will gather momentum.
