US Embassy Warns Its Citizens Over Anti-Abduction Protests In Nairobi CBD

The United States (US) Embassy in Nairobi on Monday, January 6 advised its citizens in Nairobi and other parts of Kenya to exercise caution amid planned protests.

In its alert, the Embassy based in Gigiri noted that there was a possibility that the peaceful protests would turn violent. The latter was the case on Monday morning.

The embassy went on to caution US citizens of potential and major traffic disruptions due to increased checkpoints, particularly on major roads in Nairobi.

"There have been calls for nationwide anti-government protests across Kenya on Monday, January 6, 2025," the notice read in part.

"Demonstrations in central business districts across the country and potential road blockages of major thoroughfares are possible. Protests that seem peaceful can turn violent at any moment. Police checkpoints and traffic disruptions can be expected."

Additionally, the embassy issued several safety recommendations for its citizens, among them avoiding crowded places.

Actions to Take

1. Monitor local media for highway and road conditions before travelling.
2. Avoid crowds.
3. Keep doors locked and windows rolled up while in a vehicle.
4. Notify friends and family of your whereabouts and safety.
5. Review your personal security plans.
6. Carry a copy of your U.S. passport with your current Kenyan visa.

Situational Update

As of late Monday afternoon, demonstrations were reported in several parts of the country, including Nairobi and Mombasa. While the protests were mostly peaceful, activists on social media reported a few arrests.

Videos seen by Viral Tea depicted hostile confrontations between protesters and police officers. In Mombasa, protesters put up resistance against plainclothes individuals believed to be police as they threatened to arrest them.

This marked the second wave of demonstrations following those that occurred on December 30, 2024, with the two protests having a common agenda; against the abductions in the country.

With the protests threatening to escalate, four young Kenyans who had been abducted since mid-December 2024 were reunited with their families.

They included popular social media personality Billy Mwangi alongside three other abductees; Peter Muteti, Bernard Kavuli, and Ronny Kiplangat. Two more, including X cartoonist, Kibet Bull, and Steve Mbisi are yet to be recovered.