An investigative analysis of the events surrounding the December 22 march and the broader questions it raises about protest management and accountability in Kenya
On Monday, December 22, anti-riot police officers dispersed a group of protesters who were marching towards State House, Nairobi, using tear gas. The group had assembled earlier at Jeevanjee Gardens in the Nairobi Central Business District with the stated intention of seeking an audience with President William Ruto.
According to footage reviewed by this writer, the protesters were forced to retreat as tear gas canisters were lobbed into their path, preventing them from proceeding towards State House. The incident occurred shortly after the arrest of two activists at the assembly point.
Organisers of the march, comprising families and relatives of individuals who died during the 2024 and 2025 anti-government protests, had issued a prior notice outlining the purpose and nature of the gathering.
In the notice, the families stated that the procession was intended as a peaceful appeal rather than a demonstration. Participants were instructed to carry flowers and the national flag and to avoid confrontation. The march was scheduled to mark 550 days since the killing of Rex Masai and to draw attention to concerns over delayed justice, accountability, and reparations for victims of protest-related violence.
The group planned to assemble at Jeevanjee Gardens at 9:00 am before proceeding towards State House to request an audience with the President.
Before the group could begin moving, police officers arrested activists Julius Kamau and Collins Otieno at Jeevanjee Gardens. Witnesses said the two were apprehended by uniformed officers and transported in a police lorry to Nairobi Central Police Station.
In a social media post following the arrest, Kamau confirmed their detention, stating they had been arrested for joining families of victims of police killings.
Police did not immediately issue a public statement explaining the grounds for the arrests at the time of the incident.
Moments after the arrests, anti-riot police deployed tear gas to disperse the remaining protesters as they attempted to march towards State House. Videos circulating online show officers forming lines along key access routes and releasing tear gas as the group advanced.
Security around State House and its surrounding roads is routinely heightened, with movement towards the area typically restricted due to its status as a protected installation.
From a policing perspective, crowd control operations near sensitive government sites are guided by public order management protocols that prioritize security, traffic flow, and the prevention of unauthorized access.
The march took place against the backdrop of unresolved cases linked to protest-related deaths over the past two years.
During the June 2024 protests, at least 50 people were killed and more than 400 injured in demonstrations held across the country.
In the June and July 2025 protests, reports indicate that at least 65 people lost their lives, 342 civilians sustained injuries, and 171 police officers were wounded.
While various statements and commitments have been made regarding investigations into these incidents, families of victims say they are yet to see tangible outcomes in terms of prosecutions or official findings.
Kenya’s Constitution guarantees the right to peaceful assembly, demonstration, and petition, while also allowing the state to impose limitations in the interest of public order and security.
The events of December 22 highlight the ongoing challenge of balancing these constitutional rights with security considerations, particularly when protests are planned near high-security locations such as State House.
Legal experts note that such situations often depend on whether organisers have met notification requirements and whether security agencies assess the gathering as compliant with public order regulations.
By the end of the day, the protesters had dispersed, the two activists remained in custody, and access to State House remained restricted. No injuries were officially reported as a result of the tear gas deployment.
The issues raised by the families — justice, accountability, and closure — remain unresolved, while security agencies continue to emphasize their mandate to maintain public order and protect key state installations.
As Kenya continues to navigate the aftermath of successive protest cycles, Monday’s events add to an ongoing national conversation about protest policing, accountability mechanisms, and the processes through which citizens engage the state on sensitive and unresolved matters.
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