On Monday, there was a big police presence around Uhuru Gardens in Nairobi because many young unemployed people gathered to hold a rally about the serious issue of unemployment.
This event was called the National Jobless Rally. It was organized by a group named the Concerned Youth Movement, led by activists Arnold Maliba and Kennedy Ondieki. They were inspired by a call from Morara Kebaso, the leader of the Inject Party.
Kebaso announced the rally in a video on March 17, asking young people in Kenya to come to Uhuru Park to share their struggles with finding jobs.
He pointed out that many young people are unable to support themselves, afford basic needs, or start families because there aren’t enough job opportunities. However, the event took place at Uhuru Gardens instead.
Early Monday morning, anti-riot police were sent to the area to check and question people trying to enter the park.
Central Police boss Stephen Okal mentioned that the organizers requested to hold the gathering too late and did not follow the rules of the Public Order Act.
Because of this, the authorities stopped the young people from entering the grounds, and they had to cancel the event until the following Monday.
Even though there were restrictions, some determined young Kenyans gathered at the entrance of Uhuru Gardens. They spoke to the press, urging the government to take action about the unemployment problem.
This interrupted rally continues a pattern of tension between the police and those who want to protest in Nairobi, similar to what happened during past anti-government protests in 2023.
The Concerned Youth Movement promised to keep fighting for jobs for young people and called for unity among them to encourage the government to listen to their concerns.
Heavy police deployment around Uhuru Gardens as unemployed youth attempt to hold rally in the park pic.twitter.com/03dGG3Yzfe
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) March 24, 2025
