Mombasa stands out as June 25 anniversary protests remain peaceful amidst nationwide unrest

Mombasa stood out on Wednesday as one of the few counties where commemorative demonstrations marking the first anniversary of the anti-Finance Bill protests were held peacefully without major incident.

Unlike violent scenes reported elsewhere in the country, the coastal city’s calm has largely been credited to two days of dialogue between regional police commanders and protest organisers, including youth groups and human rights activists, which helped secure official approval for the march.

The day’s events began early with a three-hour memorial mass at the ACK Cathedral along Nkrumah Road from 6:00 am to 9:00 am, setting a sombre tone for the activities that followed.

Despite a heavy deployment of security personnel from multiple agencies, among them the Anti-Riot Unit, General Service Unit (GSU), Kenya Forest Service, Kenya Prisons Service, Administration Police, and Kenya Wildlife Service, the city centre remained calm throughout the demonstration.

Veteran human rights activist Khelef Khalifa confirmed the behind-the-scenes negotiations with police.

“We engaged them for two days, explaining our intentions and assuring them the march would remain peaceful as long as there was no provocation. Young people have every reason to voice their frustrations, especially after the deaths witnessed last year,” he said.

Khelef further noted that the peaceful nature of the Mombasa protest should serve as an example for other parts of the country.

“Not a single stone was thrown. We hope this becomes a new standard for handling demonstrations,” he said.

Munira Ali from Haki Yetu Trust echoed similar sentiments, noting that organisers and police had established a level of mutual trust ahead of the day.

“We reminded the authorities that if any disruptive elements showed up, it should not become an excuse to target peaceful demonstrators,” she said.

Muhuri’s Executive Director, Walid Kassim, highlighted the role of police conduct in maintaining the peace, saying that professional handling of protests by security forces is critical in ensuring such demonstrations remain non-violent.

Shortly after the mass, protesters assembled at Mapembeni along Moi Avenue, where the demonstration formally commenced.

Police maintained a visible presence across major streets, particularly around sensitive government installations such as the County Commissioner’s office and State House, Mombasa, with access to these areas temporarily restricted.

Mombasa County Commissioner Mohammed Noor briefly addressed the crowd, acknowledging their concerns and assuring continued dialogue.

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“It was generally a peaceful demonstration, apart from a few criminal elements who attempted to cause trouble. The petition will be received, and we urge the youth to disperse peacefully,” Noor said.

Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Sheriff Nassir also lauded the city’s residents for their conduct.

“I wish to sincerely thank the people of Mombasa County for conducting themselves peacefully during today's commemoration of the first anniversary of the Gen-Z protests. Your commitment to calm and civic expression is commendable and reflects the maturity of our democratic culture. Across Mombasa Island, the mainland, and in our sub-counties, the day has passed without major incident -proof that peaceful engagement is possible even as we raise our voices for justice and equity,” he said.

He reaffirmed Mombasa’s dedication to constitutional freedoms and called for continued unity in the push for justice and equity.