A planned protest and memorial vigil to mark the anniversary of the June 25, 2024, Gen Z demonstrations failed to take off in Kisumu on Thursday, with organisers accusing authorities and rival groups of frustrating their activities.
The protest organisers, led by activist Bonface Akach, were forced to address journalists from behind Kisumu Central Police Station, which they described as the safest place available after their planned gathering points were allegedly disrupted.
Akach said the group had intended to assemble at Kondele before marching through the city centre to deliver petitions and later hold a memorial vigil at the Oginga Odinga Grounds in honour of those who lost their lives during last year's protests.
"Today we had intended to do our protest starting from Kondele, coming to town and eventually holding our memorial vigil after serving petitions," said Akach.
He claimed that the area where protesters had planned to converge was occupied by people mobilising residents to register as voters and apply for national identity cards.
According to Akach, the unexpected activities at the venue prevented demonstrators from assembling as planned.
"As we speak, that area has been taken over by voter mobilisation and ID registration," he said.
The activist further alleged that some of the people gathered there were involved in vandalism and robbing pedestrians, although he did not provide evidence to support the claims.
Akach also accused unidentified individuals of disrupting plans for the memorial vigil.
"At the area where we were to hold the memorial vigil, suddenly a football match was organised, with people pretending to be football fans who have come to watch the match, yet they are keeping us from holding our vigil there," he said.
He termed the events a setback to democratic freedoms, insisting that the protest had been lawful and that police had been formally notified in advance.
"We are very sad because what we have witnessed today is a defeat of democracy. This was a legal protest and the police were served," he said.
The activist further claimed that groups of motorcycle riders had been patrolling the city since morning, creating fear among those who intended to participate in the demonstrations.
He also accused police officers of conducting themselves in a manner that discouraged residents from joining the protest.
"Many of our people have been scared away. We have also seen the police conducting themselves in a way that is making people afraid of participating," he said.
Despite the challenges, Akach maintained that the group would still present its petition and continue pushing for accountability over issues that inspired the planned demonstrations.
"Nothing is going to stop us, even if we remain two or three people," he said.
While the planned march did not materialise, business activities in most parts of Kisumu continued uninterrupted, with residents going about their daily routines as the country marked the first anniversary of the Gen Z-led protests that shook Kenya in 2024.
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