Anti-riot police officers were deployed to various parts of Nairobi in the early morning of Thursday August 8, 2024 as  Protesters prepared for ‘Nane Nane’ demonstrations.

There was enhanced security around protected areas such as parliament buildings, while roads leading to the State House were barricaded.

Meanwhile, supporters of the protests continued to mobilize on social media for a fresh round of anti-government protests expected in Nairobi and other parts of the country on Thursday.

Dubbed the ‘Nane Nane March’ the protest is a continuation of June and July demonstrations, which began over the now-scrapped Finance Bill 2024 that had suggested increased taxation.

The protests associated with Kenyan youth, mostly Gen Zs, gradually morphed into resistance against Ruto’s government, calling for urgent reforms.

According to organizers of the protests, they want the government to address issues of corruption and wastage of public resources. 

However police have warned of a possible infiltration by hired goons during the protests.

“The initial demonstrations held in June were peaceful but subsequent protests morphed into riots, with looters destroying and stealing property,” Acting Police Inspector General Gilbert Masengeli said during a press briefing on Wednesday.

“Our intelligence reports indicate that there are security threats to the country with criminals planning to infiltrate tomorrow’s demonstrations and commit further crimes. In anticipation, we have ensured adequate deployment of personnel,” he added. 

Police have been facing criticism for using excess force, abductions and shooting unarmed protesters in previous demonstrations.

For instance, more than 20 people were killed in the previous round of protests, according to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights.