Rights activists face crackdown ahead of anniversary events

Activist Bob Njagi during a past interview with The Standard. [File]

Several activists have reportedly been targeted by security agencies over their role in planned June 25 commemorations today.

Police in Kitengela, Kajiado County, have arrested activist Bob Njagi over allegations of planning and inciting demonstrations linked to the commemorations. Njagi, chairman of the Free Kenya Movement, had reportedly been under surveillance since Monday before his arrest after resurfacing in Kitengela.

Kajiado County Police Commander Alex Shikondi confirmed the arrest, saying Njagi is being held at an undisclosed police station for security reasons and will be charged with incitement.

“He will be arraigned in a court of law for incitement,” said Shikondi, adding that the remarks attributed to Njagi could trigger unrest and destruction of property.

Police said security had been heightened to prevent criminal elements from exploiting the demonstrations and sough to assure residents and businesses of their safety.

Njagi’s arrest came a day after county security teams met in Kitengela to prepare for the commemorations marking those killed during the June 2024 Gen Z protests.

Meanwhile, activist Antony Karumba claimed there was an attempt to arrest him at his Nairobi home.

Karumba, president of the One Tribe One Nation Gen Z Movement, said men believed to be police officers arrived at his apartment along TRM Drive at about 6am on Wednesday and demanded entry without producing a warrant.

“I heard people trying to force the door open. One of them threatened to break in if I did not open,” he said.

Karumba alleged that the men accused him of mobilising Gen Z protests but failed to identify themselves or provide legal documentation. He said they retreated after he began recording the incident.

Addressing the media, Karumba described the incident as intimidation and noted that he had previously been arrested in 2024 and 2025 under similar circumstances.

The incident came a day after he publicly urged Gen Z supporters not to take part in street protests during the commemoration.

“There shall be no Gen Z protests on Thursday, June 25, 2026. Our position is informed by the preservation of life and the pursuit of our ideals through peaceful civic engagement,” he said.

Karumba instead called for candle-lighting, prayers and acts of solidarity from homes, schools and workplaces, arguing that further demonstrations could expose young people to unnecessary danger.

While insisting that justice and accountability remain key demands, he accused authorities of targeting youth activists  and questioned why they were not being formally summoned like politicians.

“We must honour those we lost and push for justice, but we shall not be on the streets to avoid more deaths,” he said.