Police Heighten Security As Gen Z Confirm Demonstrations to Occupy JKIA

Multiple security checks and a heavy police presence at JKIA Tuesday morning. Photo | K24 TV

According to a schedule released last week the protestors were planning to occupy the arrivals terminal at the usually busy communication hub in East Africa. The protesters intended to send a message to the international community that all is not well in Kenya.

Late Monday night Acting Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja issued a statement warning of trespass into protected areas.

Citing the Protected Areas Act Kanja said:

“The Protected Areas Act Cap 204 Laws of Kenya prevents the entry of unauthorized persons into areas which have been declared to be protected areas. Protected Areas Order as clarified under its Legal Notice No. 9 of 2011, Second Schedule, include LPG Plant, the Bitumen Plant and Petroleum depots situated at the Embakasi Aviation Depot (JKIA).”

Kanja further warned that a person who trespasses on any land forming part of a government aerodrome or an aerodrome commits an offence punishable by law. He concluded his statement with the stern warning that the National Police Service is “resolute in its commitment to uphold and enforce these laws”.

From the tone of the statement it appears that the protesters will this morning meet unprecedented resistance from the police force.

Meanwhile the youth meeting on X Spaces have affirmed that the occupy JKIA demos will proceed as planned. Subsequently, the Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) has issued an advisory for travellers to arrive early and avoid the inevitable confrontation.

In other places, particularly Kisumu, the youth have also confirmed that they will be marching to the international airport.

Since President Dr William Samoei Ruto dropped the contentious Finance Bill 2024, the demonstrations have been gaining momentum with the latest demands being, that he overhaul his entire cabinet and even others calling for his resignation.

Having been defeated in isolating the Gen Z leaders the government has now resorted to investigating sources of funding for the movement.