For a town that has recorded bloody and violent demonstrations in the last two years, things were different in Naivasha on Thursday, June 25, as area residents joined police in manning businesses and major roads.

The town recorded calm as police thwarted an attempt by local youths to hold a commemoration to mark the second anniversary of the Gen-Z protest.

Despite the presence of tens of armed police officers, over 90 per cent of businesses were closed down while motorists kept off roads, including the busy Nairobi-Nakuru highway.

According to one of the youth leaders, Simon Wakaba, they were forced to call off the planned memorial service at YMCA Kabati due to what he termed as intimidation by the State.

He noted that they had served the police with a letter, intending to hold the memorial service only for the police to block the venue in the morning.

“Though we have been stopped from celebrating the second anniversary, we still treasure those who died two years ago and we are happy that the looters have been kept at bay today,” he said.

Business community

This was echoed by the Chairman of the Naivasha Business Community, Evans Chege, who noted that traders had kept off the town due to fear and anxiety.

He, however, lauded the presence of the police in all the streets, adding that this had kept away potential looters, as has been the norm in the past.

“We are working hand in hand with the police in manning the town and so far all is well and we are ready to deal with any looters,” he said.

On his part, the business community Vice-Chair Duncan Kamara said that there was relative calm with no single case of looting or protest recorded.

“In the past, Naivasha has been in the news for all the wrong reasons and today we have decided to make sure there is peace in and around the town,” he said.

Speaking on the phone, Naivasha Deputy County Commissioner Josiah Odongo said that there were ample police officers manning the town and major roads.

“Most businesses are closed, matatus have been pulled off the roads, but the town is very peaceful and calm thanks to the tens of police officers,” he said.