Activist Julius Kamau chains himself to the gate of Jogoo House in Nairobi as he staged a protest on August 17, 2026/ SCREENGRABActivist Julius Kamau on Monday chained himself to the gate of Jogoo House in Nairobi as he and five other activists demonstrated outside the office of Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja.
The activists carried white coffins marked “Why kill Kenyans?” and placards calling for Kanja’s resignation. Other messages on the placards raised concerns over alleged abductions, killings and what the protesters described as police failure to protect Kenyans.
The group also carried crosses and coffins as they called for accountability and an end to what they described as police brutality.
Activists carry a white coffins marked “Why kill Kenyans?” over the Jogoo House gate into the compound during a protest in Nairobi on August 17, 2026/ SCREENGRAB
Their actions attracted the attention of police officers who moved in to remove them.
Five of the activists were taken towards a police vehicle as they resisted arrest, while Kamau remained chained to the gate.
In a video recorded during the protest, Kamau is seen attached to the gate as he addresses those gathered around him, calling for freedom, justice and equality.
“Siogopi bana, niko tayari kufa nikigania Kenya,” he says, before leading chants of “We shall overcome”.
Kamau also spoke against what he described as the taking of public land and criticised politicians, urging Kenyans to stop blindly following political leaders.
Officers eventually managed to unchain Kamau from the gate and carried him towards a police vehicle, where the other activists had been taken.
The six activists were subsequently arrested.
Kamau is a long-time Kenyan activist known for highly visible protests on governance, human rights, the cost of living and accountability.
He became involved in activism around 2010 after working as a hawker and later mobilising other traders to raise concerns over their treatment by authorities.
The National Coalition of Human Rights Defenders has described him as a human rights defender and freedom activist involved in advocacy for good governance and accountability.
Kamau has repeatedly attracted attention through solo demonstrations and disruptions of public events. In 2022, he was arrested after protesting outside the Treasury over the cost of living during the #NjaaRevolution demonstrations.
He also disrupted an Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission meeting involving presidential candidates in 2022, while in June 2024 he was arrested after interrupting a photo session involving then Treasury Cabinet Secretary Njuguna Ndung'u.
In 2026, Kamau has continued participating in demonstrations. In July, he was among activists who appeared before the Milimani Law Courts over charges linked to protests during the Saba Saba anniversary.
He also disrupted proceedings at the Milimani High Court during protests by activists and families seeking answers over three missing Kenyans.
