Police in Kitengela have arrested 29 youths on Thursday over allegations of incitement ahead of planned demonstrations marking the second anniversary of the 2024 Gen Z protests.
Among those arrested is Aslam Longton, one of the widely publicised “Kitengela Three” who were abducted and held incommunicado for more than a month in August 2024. Police also detained a vehicle belonging to his brother Jamil Longton, which Aslam was reportedly driving at the time of the arrest.
Human rights activist Bob Njagi was arrested Wednesday and is expected to be arraigned at the Kajiado Law Courts on Friday over allegations of incitement linked to the Gen Z protest anniversary.
Witnesses said four police vehicles trailing the group staged a dramatic interception near KCB Bank along the Namanga Highway before arresting them.
Security agencies have accused Aslam of mobilising and inciting youths to participate in the demonstrations on Thursday.
Kajiado County Police Commander Alex Shikondi confirmed the arrests saying investigations were ongoing.
“We will not allow unlawful protests. We have several suspected inciters on our radar, not only in Kitengela but across the county. They will be arraigned on Friday,” said Mr Shikondi.
Police heightened security across Kitengela and other parts of Kajiado County as security agencies monitored the situation ahead of the planned demonstrations.
Earlier, a planned candlelit commemoration at Kitengela Stadium was thwarted after police warned organisers against assembling at the venue.
In Kitengela town, many businesses remained closed for the better part of the morning as owners feared possible looting, which has characterised previous protests in the area.
Traffic along Namanga Highway was significantly lighter than usual.
“I woke up to hawk eggs only to find almost empty streets. People are afraid because of the heavy police presence in town,” said Pascal Muthoki, a resident.
“Most business owners fear possible looting and opted not to open their premises.”
Major supermarkets remained closed, while only a handful of transit trucks were spotted on the Namanga Highway. Most long-haul trucks were reportedly parked at the Namanga One Stop Border Post (OSBP) as operators monitored the situation.
Business was also slow at the Kitengela slaughterhouse, where activity dropped sharply compared to a normal trading day.
