Vocal Africa Chief Executive Officer Hussein Khalid has disputed claims that Kenyans stayed away from the June 25, 2026, demonstrations by choice, saying heavy police deployment and road barricades prevented people from accessing Nairobi and other protest venues.

Speaking to a local TV station on Monday, June 29, 2026, Khalid responded to remarks by President William Ruto, who commended Nairobi residents for choosing peace by staying away from the protests, and Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua, who had urged his supporters not to participate.

“The people did not choose to stay away. The police barricaded the town. Let’s be very clear. Those are two very different statements,” Khalid said.

He said he encountered at least seven police barricades while travelling into Nairobi, making it difficult for people to reach the city centre.

“When you barricade the road, there was no way people would have come out in large numbers. That happened across the town. It is not true what the president and the DCP leader are saying that people did not show up. The people were stopped from showing up,” he said.

Police deployment

Khalid said the security operation on June 25, 2026, resulted in an unusually high police presence across Nairobi.

“Actually, the police were protesting more than the people on that day because they were all over. I don’t think Nairobi has ever seen so many police officers in the streets as we saw that day,” he said.

He also questioned why some police officers covered their faces and concealed vehicle number plates during the operation.

“Why are the police hiding? If your work is legal and you’re following the law, the rules and procedures, why do you need to cover yourself if you don’t expect to engage yourself in criminal activities?” he asked.

Khalid said police officers tasked with managing demonstrations should remain identifiable while carrying out their duties.

Calls for accountability

Khalid also raised concerns over what he described as selective enforcement of the law, arguing that authorities respond more quickly to offences involving the State than to citations of police misconduct.

“So in this country, yes, we agree that police are responsible for investigating all criminal matters, but there is selective prosecution. If it is against the State, then they move very fast. But when what is done is pro the State, you will see people dragging their feet,” he said.

The June 25, 2026 demonstrations were held to mark the second anniversary of the 2024 Gen Z protests, with participants calling for justice for those who lost their lives during Finance Bill 2024 protests.

Human rights organisations have also raised concerns over arrests, reported abductions and police brutality linked to the commemorative protests.

The National Police Service has maintained that officers were deployed to safeguard public order and protect lives and property during the demonstrations.