Kenya’s capital turned into a tense battleground on Tuesday as authorities sealed off Nairobi’s city center with razor wire, metal barricades, and heavily armed police. The dramatic security measures came as young protestors marked one year since the deadly 2024 anti-Finance Bill uprising, vowing to march on State House despite a government-imposed media blackout.

The heart of Nairobi resembled a military zone, with thick coils of razor wire blocking State House Road a symbolic seat of power while anti-riot police in full gear stood guard. The lockdown reflected the government’s deep unease over potential unrest, fearing a repeat of last year’s violent protests that saw parliament stormed, buildings set ablaze, and at least 20 lives lost.

Young demonstrators, many chanting “Ruto Must Go,” attempted to push through the barricades but were met with tear gas and live bullets. Their goal was clear: to march on President William Ruto’s official residence in a bold statement against his leadership. However, security forces were determined to keep them at bay, turning key roads into no-go zones.

In a move that sparked outrage, the Communications Authority of Kenya (CAK) ordered media houses to stop live coverage of the protests, threatening severe penalties for disobedience. The blackout drew sharp criticism from rights groups, including the Law Society of Kenya and Uganda’s National Association of Broadcasters, who condemned it as an attack on press freedom.

By evening, Nairobi’s Central Business District was under what felt like martial law. Streets like Kenyatta Avenue and Parliament Road were blocked off, with armed officers patrolling every corner. Before the media ban took effect, footage showed the city center bathed in an eerie glow, the razor wire glinting under the sunset as protestors and police faced off.

The heavy-handed response only seemed to fuel the demonstrators’ anger. Many saw the lockdown as proof of a government afraid of its own youth. “They can bring all the razor wire they want, but they can’t silence us forever,” one protestor shouted before being dragged away by police.

The protests mark a painful anniversary for Kenya. Last year’s uprising, led largely by Gen Z activists, was a turning point in the country’s politics a moment when young people, frustrated by economic hardship and government policies, made their voices impossible to ignore. Now, a year later, their message remains the same: they demand change, and they’re willing to fight for it.

As night fell, the standoff continued, with sporadic clashes reported in different parts of the city. The government’s iron-fist approach may have kept protestors from reaching State House, but it also risked deepening the divide between Kenya’s leaders and its restless youth.

One thing is certain the events of June 25, 2024, are far from forgotten. And if Tuesday’s protests are any indication, Kenya’s young generation is not backing down. The razor wire may keep them out today, but the question lingers: for how long?