Nairobi Police Force Protesters to Return Uhuru Park Sculptures They'd Dragged into Streets
- A tense moment played out in Nairobi as police forced protesters to return the giant animal sculptures they had dragged from Uhuru Park
- The statues were dumped on Kenyatta Avenue during the Gen Z demonstrations that rocked the country
- Despite the initial push and pull with the police officers, the protestors finally agreed to return the artifacts under watchful eyes
Tense scenes unfolded in Nairobi’s CBD as police officers moved in to compel protesters to return the iconic metallic sculptures they had earlier dragged from Uhuru Park onto Kenyatta Avenue.
Source: Facebook
The statues, featuring members of Kenya’s Big Five, including a lion, buffalo, and an elephant, had become the centrepiece of a symbolic protest earlier in the day.
Why protesters dumped sculptures in CBD
Protesters say the move was meant to draw attention to the government, which they claim treats its citizens like animals.
Many accuse the government of failing to deliver on the promise made after a similar demonstration in 2024.
However, what had been done through mob psychology became a burden to be carried by the few who were caught.
Videos shared online show uniformed officers ordering the demonstrators to return the sculptures to the park.
"Shika mguu moja kila mtu! Haraka!" (each one of you should lift it by the leg. Very fast!), the officers shouted in a firm voice.
A brief standoff ensued as the protesters tried to resist the order, but they eventually complied under mounting pressure.
Members of the public and city officials condemned the move as vandalism, given that the sculptures were bought using tax money.
Social media reactions
The incident also reignited debate over protest methods and the boundaries between civil disobedience and destruction of public property.
While many found the moment hilarious, others opined that the destruction witnessed was caused by idleness.
According to them, most of the young protesters are educated but lack employment opportunities, which leaves them frustrated.
Eric Shem
"Make a conducive environment for enterprises and talent to grow, and Gen Zs will direct all this energy there. They have so much to offer, but they lack the platform."
Honourable Mkarabati-KingBean
"When we come together to fight for our rights, even nature responds accordingly."
At Underscore Tevie Vee
"Even the Big 5 have decided that no situation is permanent and have changed their background."
Ruth Kit:
"We have very hardworking youths itching to work."
Source: Facebook
Police officer flees from protesters
In another part of Nairobi, a police officer was forced to flee and seek refuge in a nearby building after being surrounded by demonstrators.
A viral video captured the visibly distressed officer running into a shop along Moi Avenue while holding his helmet in one hand.
As he pleaded for a place to hide, a mob of angry protesters pursued him, baying for his blood in a moment that would have probably ended in tragedy.
The police officer was saved in the nick of time by a group of kind security guards who opened the door to let him into the building.
Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
