More security personnel were Sunday, July 7 mobilised for deployment ahead of a planned memorial concert at Uhuru Park, Nairobi to honour lives lost during the recent anti-government protests.
The personnel were deployed at various places including near Parliament and State House and major roads.
Officials said this was just a precaution to avert any form of crime that may happen there.
“We are there to ensure safety for all,” said a police officer.
This came as organisers of the event said there will be a series of activities to be conducted at the park including testimonies from families and friends of those affected.
There will also be artists to sing at the event. Rains were experienced in parts of the city on Sunday and it was cold at the site.
One of the organisers activist Boniface Mwangi said among the artists to grace the event include Khaligraph Jones, Bien, Fena, Nameless, Octopizzo, Charisma, Juliani, Eric Wainaina, Sarabi Band, Graffiti Band, Mutoria and DJ Moh.
Others are DJ Double Trouble, Field Marshall Band, Njerae, DJ Lordiwn, MC Kwambix, MC Kibunja and MC Njoria among others.
The protests which were witnessed across the country have resulted in the loss of 41 lives and hundreds injured with some being admitted to various hospitals.
There are fears the toll may increase as there are more people still in hospitals with severe bullet wounds.
President William Ruto declined to assent to the Finance Bill 2024 following the protests.
Police and the organisers of the Sunday event said they had enhanced security to ensure the event went well.
Police resolved to provide security for the Memorial Concert on Sunday, July 7, from 12 pm to 7:00 pm.
July 7 is also an important day in the fight for the country's second liberation.
Top police officers met on Friday at police headquarters in Nairobi and resolved to provide security to the event.
They ordered police officers in the Nairobi region to reach out to the organisers of the event and agree on how it will be conducted.
Among others, the team agreed on the routes to be used to and from the park.
The police meeting felt trying to disrupt the event would turn chaotic given past such events or marches in the city.
There were fears some of those attending the event may plan to stage a march to key strategic installations as part of ongoing anti-government protests.
More security officials will be deployed to roads leading to and around State House to stop such plans, if any.
A memorial event is first planned at the nearby All Saints Cathedral before the event proceeds, officials said.
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja endorsed the concert and assured county security for the event.
Sakaja expressed his full support for the memorial concert, highlighting its importance in acknowledging the tragic events and the lives affected.
“It is true that I have received a request for a peace concert to be done at Uhuru Park; I see no problem with it. If it is a genuine expression, then it is good,” Sakaja stated.
“Uhuru Park belongs to Kenyans and Nairobians; it doesn’t belong to me. I am just a steward over that resource. I know it is currently an active crime scene but I hope the DCI will conclude.”
Attendees are encouraged to bring flowers as a gesture of remembrance and peace.
Sakaja has confirmed his attendance, emphasizing the significance of honouring the young people who lost their lives.
“We will support that expression. That concert is in honour of the young people who we lost. It is good to honour them and their families and see what support we can give them. I will attend because these are my constituents,” Sakaja added.
The park was an active crime scene due to recent vandalism, including the destruction of a mobile studio dedicated to recording artists.
“Fees for the injured and deceased across county hospitals and mortuaries have been waived as a gesture of acknowledging the right to expression,” Sakaja announced.