Nairobi’s Central Business District was under a heavy police presence on Sunday as the Linda Mwananchi movement prepared for a major rally expected to end at Jacaranda Grounds.
Anti-riot officers patrolled key streets in the city centre, with some moving on foot and others in police vehicles. The deployment came after police warned that large political gatherings would not be allowed in the CBD.
Nairobi Regional Police Commander Issa Mohamud said the decision was intended to protect businesses, residents and other people using the city centre.
“The CBD is a critical national, commercial and public space,” Mr Mohamud said, warning organisers against attempting to hold a large rally there.
Police said they had received notification of the planned Linda Mwananchi event through Embakasi East MP Babu Owino. The movement, however, was expected to proceed with its main gathering at Jacaranda Grounds.
The dispute has centred on the route rather than the planned final venue. Organisers have maintained that the rally should be allowed to proceed peacefully, while police have insisted that the CBD would remain off-limits.
The security operation comes amid heightened political activity in the capital as the movement seeks to build support ahead of the 2027 general election.
Police warn against violence
Mr Mohamud said officers would be deployed in uniform and plain clothes around the CBD and along routes leading to the rally.
He also warned political leaders and supporters against inflammatory remarks or actions that could trigger violence.
Police have said they were concerned about possible attempts by rival groups to disrupt the gathering. Mr Mohamud urged organisers to control their supporters and ensure the event remained peaceful.
The movement’s leaders have also called on supporters to avoid violence.
The warnings reflect growing concern around large political gatherings in Nairobi, where busy commercial areas can quickly become crowded when rallies and processions take place.
From All Saints Cathedral to Jacaranda
The Linda Mwananchi programme was scheduled to begin at All Saints Cathedral, where supporters were expected to attend a church service.
From there, the procession was expected to pass through Marikiti, Gikomba and Burma markets before moving towards Jogoo Road and other parts of Eastlands.
The itinerary also included stops at Manyanja, B Centre and Stage 17 before the procession headed to Jacaranda Grounds.
Supporters had already begun gathering around parts of Nairobi ahead of the programme, while police maintained a visible presence in the city centre.
For the organisers, the Nairobi event is an important test of the movement’s ability to draw crowds in the capital.
For police, the priority is keeping the CBD open and preventing clashes or disruption.
The rally is expected to bring those competing concerns into sharp focus as the day’s programme unfolds.
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