Two Women Arrested as Police Disrupt Gen Z Candlelight Vigil in Mwea

By: Lucy Chege, Beatrice Mose, Mariana Robbi and Jeff Ogada

Two women were arrested on Thursday night after police disrupted a candlelight vigil in Mwea, Kirinyaga County, held to honour victims of the Gen Z anti-government protests.

The vigil, organised by local youth and led by activist Valentine Waithera, was taking place at the Ngurubani matatu stage, where participants had gathered to light candles in memory of those who died during last year’s nationwide demonstrations.

Witnesses said officers from Wang’uru Police Station arrived at the scene, extinguished the candles, dispersed the gathering and arrested two women.

The women, identified as Margaret Wambui and Doreen Mworia, were taken to Wang’uru Police Station at about 8 p.m. They were later released after Tebere Ward MCA Peter Karinga intervened and assured police they would maintain peace. As part of their release conditions, the two were directed to report back to the station on Friday morning.

Speaking after her release, Wambui maintained that the gathering was peaceful and intended solely to honour those who lost their lives during the protests.

“We did not go for protests. We only came to light candles in remembrance of those who lost their lives,” she said.

Mwea East Sub-County Police Commander Stephen Okal defended the police action, saying officers intervened because the candles were being lit at a busy public transport stage used by pedestrians and street children. He urged organisers of public gatherings to comply with the law and prioritise public safety.

However, youth leaders, including Valentine Waithera and Jackson Mwangi, condemned the arrests, arguing that the vigil was a peaceful memorial protected under Article 37 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to assemble, demonstrate and picket peacefully.

They maintained that participants had exercised their constitutional rights without causing disruption or engaging in violence.

The incident comes amid heightened tensions surrounding Gen Z remembrance events across the country. Families, activists and civil society groups have continued to hold memorial activities while demanding justice for those who lost their lives during the anti-government protests.

The groups are also calling for greater police accountability and respect for constitutional freedoms.