On a day charged with national emotion and unrest—the anniversary of the deadly June 25 protests—President William Ruto was far from the chaos, attending a high-profile funeral in Kilifi County.
As tension gripped the country’s major towns, with thousands of Kenyans pouring into the streets to remember last year’s slain protestors, the Head of State kept his distance, opting instead to mourn with the family of Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro, whose father, Mzee Gideon Mung’aro, was being laid to rest.
The funeral wasn’t short of political heavyweights. ODM leader Raila Odinga, Senate Speaker Amason Kingi, and Mining Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho were among those who joined Ruto, turning the burial into a rare political congregation—even as anger swelled across the nation.
Before jetting out to Kilifi, Ruto had hosted Sultan Ali Allana—an envoy of Prince Rahim Aga Khan—at State House, Nairobi. The two discussed developmental partnerships, with the President praising the Aga Khan Development Network’s efforts in health and education. He also extended a formal invitation to the Aga Khan to visit Kenya for a high-level ceremony, during which he’s set to receive the country’s top civilian honor—the Chief of the Order of the Golden Heart.
But while the President discussed honors and shook hands with dignitaries, the streets of Nairobi were a completely different scene.
Heavily armed security forces flooded the capital and other urban centers in anticipation of protests that had been brewing online for days. Major roads like Jogoo Road were blocked, and anyone headed into the Central Business District had to walk past barricades and razor wire, with State House and Parliament sealed off like fortresses.
Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen reported for duty at Harambee House before sunrise, flanked by security top brass including IG Douglas Kanja and DCI boss Amin Mohamed. Their message? Stay away from restricted zones and keep the protests peaceful—or face the full force of the law.
IG Kanja had issued a stark warning just a day earlier: any provocations or violations of restricted zones would not be tolerated. "Officers will act within the law to protect lives and property," he said—though many remain skeptical, haunted by last year’s violent crackdown.
This year’s protests, now rebranded by activists as “Youth Transparency Day,” are about more than just the finance bill. Protesters are demanding answers about police brutality, illegal detentions, and what many call a growing culture of state impunity. Civil society groups are pushing for justice for the victims of 2024, as well as sweeping reforms in Kenya’s security and justice systems.
Even as the President tried to project normalcy from the coast, the symbolism wasn’t lost on many: a country crying for justice, and a leader choosing a funeral over the fire on the streets.
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