Nairobi: CBD back to life, normal business operations resume
Nairobi
By
Okumu Modachi
| Jul 09, 2024
Anti-Finance bill protestors demonstrate in Nairobi on July 2, 2024. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]
After weeks of heightened protests within Nairobi Central Business District (CBD), calm seems to have returned as the capital slowly roars back to life.
A spot-check by The Standard on Tuesday, July 9 across the capital revealed normal operations had resumed, signifying progress in healing from teargas smoke that rented the city air over the past few weeks.
Most shops that would have otherwise remained closed for fear of planned demonstrations today, were opened.
The youths, mainly Gen Zs and millennials had planned to picket within the CBD in a protest dubbed "Occupy CBD," calling for accountability from state officers in a raft of demands to the government after their agitation morphed from asking for total rejection of Finance Bill 2024 to complete overhaul of the government.
READ MORE
It is not till death do you part, judge tells petitioner
Why Rutonomics is not working for ordinary Kenyans
However, the police were not leaving anything to chance as the officers maintained their presence, patrolling most parts of the town especially uptown.
The Parliament buildings that was invaded by protestors on June 23, continued to witness heavy security that included military personnel who complemented the police in manning the area albeit in reduced numbers.
Earlier, some streets leading to Parliament had roadblocks mounted by the police but were later opened to the public.
Traffic flow has also resumed as normalcy on the roads returned with Kenyans going about their businesses with less fear.
The Standard spot-check also established security beefed up outside State House with most roads leading to the President's official residence closed.
KPA unveils Sh1.4b port upgrade with helicopter, smart traffic system
Kenya Ports Authority has acquired a helicopter to transport marine pilots between the Port of Mombasa and the Port of Lamu, significantly reducing travel time and improving pilotage services.Surveyors, universities to harmonise geospatial training to meet Kenya's development needs
Kenya is set to harmonise training in surveying, geomatics and geospatial engineering, following a landmark consultative meeting that resolved to establish a unified professional training framework.KPA defends Sh8.344b Mombasa port road infrastructure project
Kenya Ports Authority argues that the contract for the 1.8 kilometre project was competitively awarded to the lowest bidder and hence cheaper for taxpayers.SA's Vodacom wins Safaricom CEO post as State loses control
Vodafone Kenya, a subsidiary of South Africa's Vodacom Group, will gain the power to nominate Safaricom's next CEO, under governance changes set for a shareholder vote later this month.Africa's beverage industry offers renewed investment frontier
Industry leaders say Africa's beverage sector must invest in innovation, branding and consumer insights to build resilient global brands and capitalise on rising investor interest and market growth.MOST READ
KPA unveils Sh1.4b port upgrade with helicopter, smart traffic system
SHIPPING & LOGISTICS
By Patrick Beja