Police in Nairobi have warned against what they describe as unauthorised demonstrations in the city centre, days before planned protests over rising fuel prices and the cost of living.

Speaking on Friday, Nairobi Regional Police Commander Issa Mohamud said any gatherings in the Central Business District must follow legal procedures, even as frustrations grow among residents.

“The Constitution guarantees the right to peaceful assembly, but it must be exercised within the law,” he told reporters.

Dispute over procedure

At the heart of the warning is a requirement that organisers notify police in advance before holding demonstrations.

Mr Mohamud said officers had not received formal notice from those planning protests scheduled for Tuesday, April 21.

He urged organisers to engage with authorities to allow for coordination and security planning.

Without such notice, he suggested, the protests would be considered unlawful.

Rising public pressure

The planned demonstrations come against a backdrop of growing economic strain.

Many Kenyans say the rising cost of fuel has pushed up transport fares, food prices and other essentials, leaving households under pressure.

Some activists have said the protests are meant to draw attention to these concerns and push for action.

“The urgency of the situation demands it,” one organiser said in response to the police warning, insisting the demonstrations would go ahead.

A wider debate

The exchange has exposed a familiar tension between public order and civil liberties.

Supporters of the police position argue that advance notice helps prevent chaos and ensures safety for both protesters and the wider public.

Others see the warning as an attempt to discourage dissent.

Critics of the government, led by William Ruto, have accused authorities of restricting the space for citizens to express grievances, particularly during periods of economic difficulty.

What to expect

It remains unclear whether organisers will formally notify police before Tuesday or proceed regardless.

For now, the message from authorities is firm: demonstrations must comply with the law.

But on the streets, the mood suggests the issue runs deeper than procedure.

With the cost of living continuing to rise, the coming days may test how Kenya balances the right to protest with the need for order in its capital.