Five people were arrested in Kenya's Meru County during a commemoration of the Generation Z protests.
A large security presence in Meroe coincides with the second anniversary of the protests.
Written by: Mohamed Ragab
Police in Kenya's Meroe County arrested five young men on Thursday after accusing them of trying to cause chaos during the commemoration of the second anniversary of the 2024 youth anti-government protests that left dozens dead and wounded.
The arrests came amid tight security measures and a heavy deployment of police forces in a number of key areas of the province, with the aim of maintaining security and preventing any riots or disturbances.
Business activity declined and a number of shops closed.
The city of Meroe witnessed a state of caution among residents and business owners, as many shops and institutions closed their doors for fear of disturbances or clashes during the commemoration.
Business activity also appeared weak in a number of local markets, amid citizens’ fears of potential tensions, which negatively impacted daily economic activities.
Some female traders in local markets said that demand for purchases has declined significantly, leading to a decrease in sales and a drop in daily income for many workers in the informal sector.
Security deployment in vital areas
Kenyan authorities have deployed large numbers of police officers to several key areas in Meroe County, including the city center and the areas of Jakoromoni, Gitembeni, Nkobo and Makatono.
These measures aimed to secure the streets, markets, and public facilities and ensure the continuation of daily activities normally, while the security services closely monitored the situation.
The authorities confirmed that the security deployment came as part of precautionary measures to prevent any attempts to disrupt public life or break the law.
Police confirm legal action is being taken
Police chief in North Emmenti, Ambrose Kialo, announced that the five people arrested will be subject to the applicable legal procedures, noting that the authorities will not tolerate any attempts to undermine security and stability.
The security official confirmed that police forces have been deployed throughout the city and its surroundings to ensure that citizens can carry out their daily activities safely and without any obstacles.
He also called on residents to cooperate with security services and abide by the law, stressing the importance of maintaining public peace during this period.
The anniversary of the protests reignites the debate about internal conditions.
These developments come as Kenyans commemorate the second anniversary of the «Generation Z» protests that erupted in 2024 in protest against economic policies and taxes, and resulted in bloody clashes between protesters and security forces.
These events continue to cast a shadow over the political and social landscape of the country, amid calls to hold those responsible for the violence accountable and to implement reforms that respond to the demands of young people.
