Police block roads, curtail movement of Kenyans on Saba Saba

Police mounted extensive roadblocks across major routes into Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD) on Monday morning ahead of the planned Saba Saba demonstrations, a day historically associated with political protests in Kenya.

Road closures were reported on key arteries including Thika Road, Waiyaki Way, Mombasa Road, Ngong Road, Valley Road, Juja Road, and Lang’ata Road. Authorities blocked access for both private and public service vehicles, citing concerns that protestors might attempt to disguise themselves to enter the city centre and stage demonstrations.

Activists rally each year on July 7 to mark the date in 1990 when opponents of then-president Daniel arap Moi launched a bid to transform the country into a multiparty democracy. This protest is called Saba Saba – meaning “seven seven” in Kiswahili – because of the date.

The area around Parliament is heavily fortified, encircled by razor wire and barricades, with substantial police presence. Security was also significantly increased at major intersections, particularly at roundabouts connecting major routes in and out of Nairobi.

The widespread gridlock has left many residents unable to reach their workplaces.

This year’s rally comes after largely youth-led protests in June last year that initially focused on tax increases, but expanded to cover issues such as corruption, police brutality and unexplained disappearances of government critics.

Gen Z activists had said they would proceed with Saba Saba Day protests, despite government appeals for restraint, prompting police to heighten security.

The government is committed to protecting life and property during protests, Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen said on his X account on Sunday.

"Our security agencies are on high alert to deal decisively with criminals and other elements of ill intent who may seek to infiltrate peaceful processions to cause havoc, mayhem, or destruction of property," he said.

On Sunday, however, unidentified people forced their way into the offices of the non-profit Kenya Human Rights Commission to stop a press conference ahead of Monday’s protests.

At least one person, a board member, was injured, Ernest Cornel, who works at the commission, said.

On the same day, police reportedly blocked hundreds of young people travelling to Nairobi at the Dongo Kundu bypass in Mombasa. These individuals had attended the annual Summer Tides Festival in coastal Diani.

Schools and businesses have remained closed amid fears of disruptions, destruction and looting of property as witnessed during previous protests.