Police erected roadblocks this morning leading to the Nairobi CBD.
By Peter Mwibanda.
NAIROBI, Kenya (IP)
Schools and businesses across Kenya are bracing for potential disruption Monday as nationwide protests loom, stirring anxiety among parents, workers and employers.
While the Ministry of Education has not issued a formal directive suspending classes, teachers in several urban centers have already advised parents to keep children at home as a precaution.
In Nairobi, Kisumu, Mombasa and Eldoret, headteachers from schools located within town centers cited safety concerns over possible clashes between protesters and police.
“We cannot take chances with the safety of learners,” said a principal at a public primary school in downtown Nairobi. “Even if we open, many parents may be too worried to send their children.”
Private sector employers are also taking preemptive action. Several firms have asked employees to work remotely to avoid exposure to potential violence or transport disruptions.
On Sunday evening, the Kenya Private Sector Alliance issued an advisory urging businesses to “prioritize safety and continuity of operations through flexible work arrangements.”
Public transport operators are equally uneasy. Some matatu owners say they may reduce trips into city centers if demonstrations turn chaotic. Past protests have been marred by roadblocks, vandalism and confrontations with law enforcement — impacts that many operators and businesses are eager to avoid.
Parents voiced frustration over the lack of clear guidance from the national government.
“The Ministry should come out and tell us whether schools are open or closed,” said Miriam Otieno, a mother of two in Kisumu. “We are left to guess.”
Security agencies maintain that adequate measures are in place to protect lives and property. But public trust remains shaky, especially in the wake of recent demonstrations that have escalated despite official assurances.
With no unified directive in place, the burden of decision-making has fallen on individual schools and businesses — deepening uncertainty nationwide.
As the country prepares for another tense day of demonstrations, many Kenyans are calling for restraint from both protesters and police to avoid further disruption and trauma.
Ends.
