Kenyan police have banned protests in Nairobi, amidst claims of continued lawlessness and a lack of leadership among the protestors.

The ban was announced hours before a planned protest later on Thursday, July 18, 2024, with online posters calling for people to gather at Uhuru Park in the city center before marching to the State House, where President William Samoei Ruto resides.

In a statement, the acting head of police, Douglas Kanja Kiricho, said on July 17, 2024, that a group of individuals were scheming to use the protests to carry out other dubious agendas, including looting property.

“We have credible intelligence that organized criminal groups are planning to take advantage of the ongoing protests to execute their attacks. No demonstrations will be permitted in the Nairobi business district and its surrounding areas until further notice to ensure public safety,” he said.

The youth-led protests were sparked a month ago against planned tax hikes, including William Ruto’s unpopular finance bill, which was met with brutality and violence. This prompted President Ruto to withdraw the legislation on July 11, 2024, dissolving almost all of his cabinet before the chief of police resigned.

The continued protests are a call for Ruto’s resignation and a siren for systematic changes in the poor governance and corruption in the government.