Commuters across Nairobi were stranded and forced to walk to work on Thursday June 25, 2026 ahead of the planned demonstrations.

The disruptions come amid heightened security measures ahead of demonstrations planned to commemorate the June 25, 2024 Gen Z protests.

Some motorists were turned back while others remained stranded as police officers restricted access at key entry points into the capital city.

Meanwhile, a number of major roads leading to Nairobi CBD have been barricaded by police officers, partially disrupting the movement of motorists.

For instance, roadblocks have been erected at Thika Road (Roysambu), Mombasa Road (close to JKIA), Waiyaki Way (Kinoo, Kangemi and Westlands), and Rongai (at MMU).

Roads leading to Parliament have also been blocked using barbed wire.

Hundreds of passengers waited for hours at bus stages, hoping to secure transport to the Central Business District, while others opted to work long distances after fares tripled during the morning rush.

Those lucky enough to board the few matatus operating were forced to pay higher amounts of cash.

“I have paid Sh200 to town, a route that usually costs Sh60,” lamented one passenger who managed to get into the city centre.

Another commuter from Kibera described the situation as unbearable for ordinary Kenyans.

“I paid Sh150 from Kibera to the CBD, yet we usually pay Sh50 in the morning,” the passenger said.

This was after a section of Kenyans planned to take to the streets for the commemoration of the victims killed in the June 25 anti-government protests in 2024 and 2025.

According to the organizers, they will conduct a nationwide candlelighting ceremony to honour the fallen Gen Z heroes.

However, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen had vowed that police are prepared to provide security for demonstrators expected to take part in the anniversary protests.