Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has assured that there will be adequate security during the June 25 planned protests to commemorate youth who died during the 2024 anti-Finance Bill demonstrations.

In a video message shared on Sunday, Sakaja said he has spoken to the police commander to ensure that protesters will be protected.

“I have spoken to the commander of police to ensure that peaceful demonstrators are protected as they express their rights and that must be done within the confines of the law,” Sakaja said.

He emphasised that while the police are expected to safeguard protesters, they also have a duty to protect lives and property.

“Let everyone respect the law. Violence, riots, chaos are not signs of democracy and there will be no such going forward,” he warned.

“We will protect our city and beloved country in accordance with the law,” he added.

Sakaja has also asked Kenyans to reject attempts to hijack legitimate causes and to avoid inciting violence during the commemoration protests. He said his administration would not allow criminal elements to exploit the democratic space and bring anarchy to peaceful demonstrations.

“I urge all Kenyans and the people of Nairobi to reject violence and criminal behaviour as they take to the streets this coming week. I have spoken to the command of the police to assure peaceful demonstrators that they will be protected as they express their rights,” Sakaja said.

At the same time Governor Sakaja distanced himself from what he described as “a smear campaign” aimed at tarnishing his reputation. He termed as “malicious and baseless allegations” linking him to the hiring of goons and inciting violence during recent protests in the capital.

“Over the past few days, there have been malicious allegations against me. I want to state categorically that in my entire political career, I have never used violence to gain power. My record speaks for itself, my mantra has been and continues to be Siasa Safi,” he said.

The governor’s statement follows recent youth-led protests that were disrupted by goons who hijacked the demonstrations, interfering with peaceful calls for justice over the death of blogger Albert Ojwang’, who died in police custody.

This comes even as tension remains high following Wednesday’s protests, with the governor saying he will not allow the destruction of property by goons posing as protesters.