Mombasa streets were calm on Thursday morning, with normal activities going on, for the better part of the morning as Gen Z kept away.
It was largely expected to be calm after former governor Hassan Joho was nominated to Cabinet by President William Ruto.
Tellingly, as Joho was being sworn in as the Mining and Blue Economy CS at State House Nairobi, visitors in Mombasa were at the famous Pembe za Ndovu taking selfies and Kodak moments.
Pembe za Ndovu has been the gathering point for Mombasa Gen Z in the previous protests.
On Thursday, police were deployed in the area and were seen resting at the Uhuru Gardens, adjacent to the famous tusks.
A police lorry had been stationed at Mwembe Tayari Health Center, opposite Naivas Mwembe Tayari.
Roadblocks were also set up at Nyali Bridge going into town and at Makupa Causeway at Kibarani.
At the Kibarani roadblock, police were inspecting all public service vehicles heading into town.
“Matatu and tuktuk passengers were forced out of the vehicles and searched, especially the young people. I felt that was harassment of the public. There are better ways to handle such,” human rights activist and Muhuri rapid response officer Francis Auma said.
Most roads were filled with PSVs as private cars were conspicuously absent.
Most of the parking spaces in the CBD were empty.
In Kwale, a police roadblock was set up at Magandia as you enter Kwale from Mombasa.
Here, PSVs were also searched and young people were forced out and questioned.
In Diani, however, things were calm with police presence seen in batches. Most of the businesses were open.
Kilifi witnessed normal activities as the Gen Z kept away from the streets.
At various joints where access to TV screens was present in Mombasa, people gathered to witness the swearing-in ceremony of the new CSs.
“We are busy watching Joho being sworn in. The Gen Z can protest in their homes,” Salim Swaleh, a resident, said.
