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'We're peaceful' protesters chant as police boss Bungei addresses them in CBD

Nairobi police boss Bungei is also seen greeting some of the protesters in the crowd

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by BRIAN ORUTA

News23 July 2024 - 11:11
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In Summary


  • • Bungei was out patrolling the central business district (CBD) with other officers, when he encountered the protesters.
  • • He was in the company of other senior and junior police officials during the patrol.

"We are peaceful" chants took centre stage in Nairobi on Tuesday after Nairobi Regional Commander Adamson Bungei addressed anti-government protesters along Moi Avenue.

Bungei was out patrolling the Central Business District (CBD) with other officers when he encountered the protesters.

He was in the company of other senior and junior police officials during the patrol.

In a video seen by the Star, Bungei had just concluded addressing a crowd along Moi Avenue when the chants began.

He is then seen greeting some of the protesters in the crowd as he makes his way into a waiting police vehicle.

The protesters then followed him as he left with the "We're peaceful" chants.

Business activities in the Nairobi Central Business District were slow on Tuesday morning in the wake of Gen-Z protests.

Most shops in the CBD remain closed over the anticipated protests.

A heavy police presence is also across the CBD, with officers deployed at strategic locations.

The protests have raised concerns about potential disruptions of businesses and daily life in the capital.

On Tuesday, Acting Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja said that the weekly youth protests have become a haven of goons.

In a press briefing, Kanja said the goons are only motivated to destroy steal and destroy properties of innocent and hard-working Kenyans.

He faulted the organisers for failing to follow the stipulations of law, as is in the Public Order Act.

Kanja insisted that the chaos witnessed as a result of these goons could be avoided, had the organisers done the correct thing, as per law.

"This state of disorder would have been completely avoidable had protesters taken into consideration the simple legal provisions under the Public Order Act that require organisers of protests or public procession to inform the police or regulating officers in time as led with the constitution," the Acting IG said.

Kanja also called on members of the public to remain vigilant at all times when in crowded places.

He urged the public to provide information that can help the police detect and prevent crime as a result of protests.

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