NAIROBI, Kenya – June 25, 2026 The Kenya Human Rights Commission has called on police to immediately dismantle roadblocks in Nairobi’s central business district, saying the closures violate a High Court order and infringe on constitutional rights.
Kenyan police officers man a roadblock in the Central Business District (CBD) in the Kangemi neighbourhood ahead of the planned demonstrations to mark the second anniversary of the deadly June 2024 youth-led anti-Finance Bill protests, which saw demonstrators storm Parliament, in Nairobi on June 25, 2026. Thousands of Kenyans protested in June 2024 against economic hardship and corruption, eventually storming parliament to force the cancellation of new taxes. (Photo by Tony KARUMBA / AFP)In a press statement issued Thursday morning, KHRC said police erected barriers on major roads leading into the CBD on June 25, despite last year’s High Court ruling. The court, following a petition by Katiba Institute, barred police from obstructing public roads without giving timely advance notice so citizens could seek alternative routes.
“Police today defied the court order,” KHRC stated. “Authorities must dismantle the roadblocks and restore unimpeded passage for all.”
The commission argued the roadblocks go beyond traffic control and curtail several constitutional rights. These include freedom of movement, access to healthcare and emergency services, the right to peaceful assembly, and the ability to carry out economic activity and access public services.
KHRC described the closures as placing “an unlawful and disproportionate burden on millions of Kenyans.” The statement ended with a direct appeal: “Police, open the roads now and let people commemorate the lives lost through your violence.”
The timing is significant. June 25 marks the second anniversary of the 2024 anti-Finance Bill protests, during which several protesters died in clashes with police in Nairobi. The hashtags #Justice4OurMashujaa, #JusticeNow and #HakiSASA used by KHRC reference ongoing calls for accountability over those deaths.
As of 10:30 AM EAT, police had not issued a public response to KHRC’s demands. Commuters in Nairobi reported heavy traffic and restricted access to the CBD Thursday morning.
