LIVE UPDATES: Kenya Air Force Officers Deployed in Pipeline Area to Counter Protestors 

Kenyan youth have remained adamant in their fight for reforms, vowing to sustain their protests across the country, until their issues and demands are addressed by President William Ruto’s administration.

The Gen Z led protests have seen President William Ruto drop the contentious Finance Bill, 2024 and dismiss his entire Cabinet all in a bid to create a more inclusive and broad-based government.

Following the previous “Occupy Parliament” and “Occupy CBD” witnessed in the Nairobi CBD, relative calm ushered July 23, ahead of the planned march to the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA). 

Protesters have been mobilizing online all week in preparation for the awaited demos dubbed ‘Occupy JKIA’. 

“We, the people of Kenya, will take to the streets on Tuesday, the 23rd, without fail, we will occupy all towns, cities, major roads and Jomo Kenyatta International Airport every day until change comes,” read a letter by the youth addressed to President Ruto.

Here’s is a real-time update on latest events in the ‘Occupy JKIA protests:

3:20 pm: Kenya Air Force Officers Deployed in Pipeline Area to Counter Protestors, video footage from the scene shows a large number of Kenya Air Force officers barricading a road.

2:52 pm: Protesters in Kitengela engage police in running battles, footage from the scene show roads barricaded throughout the area.

2:46 pm: A protestor has reportedly been shot near Nyayo stadium with video showing a Kenya Red Cross ambulance present at the scene.

2:42 pm: Police officers extinguish a bonfire along the Nyeri-Nairobi highway, ignited by protestors in Karatina.

2:30 pm: A police water cannon truck is observed heading down Mombasa Road. It is accompanied by a second one and several other police vehicles.

2:15 pm: Police deploy teargas to disperse a group of protesters that were marching along Mombasa Road near Imara heading in the direction of JKIA.

1:38 pm: Protestors in Kahawa West block a section of the road, with video footage circulating online showing a lit bonfire as residents stand and watch police from afar.

1:24 pm: Nairobi Police Boss Adamson Bungei engages with protestors in Nairobi CBD along Moi Avenue as they chant “We are peaceful,” seeking an audience with him.

1: 13 pm: A group of protestors march along the streets of Nairobi CBD, with footage from the scene showing youth gathered along Moi Avenue blowing whistles while chanting.

1:05 pm: Protesters assemble and block a section of Outering Road, footage from the scene shows protestors taunting police daring them to shoot them. 

12:54 pm: Police launch teargas canisters at youth protesting in Mombasa.

12:45 pm: Heavy police presence observed at KICC with video footage circulating online showing multiple police trucks and a large consignment of anti-riot police gathered at the convention Centre.

12:39 pm: A black Range Rover is spotted handing out cash to boda boda riders in town, raising questions among netizens over who owns the vehicle.

12:25 pm: A boda boda rider has been injured and his motorbike set ablaze as factions of boda boda operators clash within Nairobi CBD. Police have lobbed teargas at the scene in a bid to disperse them

12:12 pm: A Police Chopper is spotted conducting aerial surveillance in Kitengela as police lob tear gas to disperse protesters.

12:00 pm: A Large group of Boda boda men are seen entering the CBD area, footage circulating online shows a large number of men on boda bodas moving along the streets of Nairobi accompanied by some protesters who are on foot.

11:48 am: Protestors in Ahero, Kisumu County begin protests with footage circulating online showing lit bonfires and roadblocks.

11:37 am: Gen-Z Protestors in Nyamira march to the Governor’s office to deliver a petition to Governor Amos Nyaribo of Nyamira County.

11:30 am: Government supporters launch counter protests at Haile Selassie in protest over the ‘Occupy JKIA’ demos.

The group consisting mainly of boda boda riders are seen holding placards written messages such as “Ruto tuko nyuma yako” and “Tumechoka na Gen Z,”

Acting Police IG Douglas Kanja addresses the press on July 23, 2024. PHOTO/Screengrab

10:30 am: Acting Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja holds a press conference warning youth against attempting to access JKIA, which he notes is an area protected by the law.

He also called on the youth to desist from protesting arguing that peace was necessary since Kenya was the only country we have as citizens and there would be nowhere else to go if the country goes up in flames.

10:27 am: A Large group of boda boda riders are seen fueling at a petrol station near the entrance of Haile Selassie expressway.

Kenyans online have raised concerns over why such a large group would be gathering with many speculating that they are hired goons awaiting instruction.

10:20 am: Kenya Defense Force (KDF) officers spotted at JKIA ahead of the planned march.

10:00 am: Reports online suggest that a section of Thika road at Githurai has been blocked with blocks of stone, causing vehicles to turn back in the direction of the Nairobi CBD.

9:45 am: Heavy Police deployed at the JKIA Embakasi entrance to block protesters ahead of demos.

9:30 am: Reports have emerged indicating that a private helicopter allegedly belonging to President William Ruto has been spotted conducting aerial surveillance operations within the environs of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.

8:00 am: Heavy police presence within the Nairobi CBD ahead of the expected demos.

7: 30 am: Minimal traffic along major roads leading to the CBD, businesses are closed ahead of the anticipated demos.

6.00 am: Security beefed up at JKIA emergency gate and its environs ahead of planned #OccupyJKIA protests.