How Guantanamo Bay-grade razor wire is fortifying state house, parliament against Gen Z protests in Nairobi

Kenya's security forces have rolled out layers of razor wire fencing across key installations in Nairobi, including Parliament, as protestors mark the anniversary of the deadly June 25 protests.

The anniversary is exactly one year since Gen Z demonstrators breached Parliament during the Finance Bill 2024 revolt, which led to deaths after security officers opened fire on the protesting youth.

The Guantanamo-grade fencing, made of high-tensile galvanised steel coiled with razor-sharp barbs, is designed to be both a physical and psychological deterrent.

The coils, often in concertina form, are difficult to cut, scale, or dismantle without specialised equipment, making them a favoured choice in high-security settings around the world.

Razor wire has long been used in sensitive facilities such as Guantanamo Bay, the U.S. military detention centre in Cuba.

There, the wire is deployed to fortify perimeter fences and restrict movement, especially in high-risk zones. Its sharp-edged blades are capable of inflicting serious injuries, while its resilient structure resists deformation under pressure, qualities that have made it standard in prisons, military bases, and protest-prone areas.

In Nairobi, these same properties are now being used to protect state buildings from large crowds.

Security experts describe the move as a “passive deterrent,” aimed at preventing violent incursions without immediately resorting to force.

The June 2024 protests turned deadly when demonstrators stormed the Parliament building. According to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, 39 people were killed nationwide in protests that lasted from June 18 to July 1, with other reports estimating up to 61 deaths, mostly from police gunfire.

This year, razor wire barriers are being installed not just on ground-level perimeters but also atop fencing, across key roads, and around strategic assets, forming a steel cocoon around power centres.

Critics call it a symbol of rising authoritarianism, while security officials defend it as necessary for crowd control.