Chaos broke out in Kitengela, Kajiado County, on Monday morning as Saba Saba protests turned confrontational, with demonstrators mostly from the Gen Z demographic clashing with anti-riot police in running battles that brought business to a halt.
The protests, which began around 10:00 am, saw the youth take to the streets demanding government accountability and reforms. Protesters blocked the busy Nairobi–Namanga Road, lighting bonfires with tyres and disrupting traffic along the crucial highway. The road had been operating normally earlier in the day before the demonstration gained momentum.
Police officers, armed and in full anti-riot gear, swiftly responded to the escalating situation. Tear gas was fired to disperse the growing crowd, and water cannons were deployed to suppress the protests. Shops and businesses in Kitengela town closed their doors as tension escalated, and residents stayed indoors to avoid the chaos.
To contain the unrest, the General Service Unit (GSU) was called in to support local police units. Two anti-riot water cannons were visibly stationed in town as authorities worked to regain control. Police also set up roadblocks at key points along Namanga Road to monitor and regulate movement in and out of the protest hotspots.
Despite the heavy police presence and use of force, the demonstrators remained defiant, chanting slogans and calling for systemic change. The protests are part of the broader Saba Saba movement, a date marked annually on July 7 to commemorate the struggle for multiparty democracy in Kenya. This year’s protests have taken on new energy, largely driven by young people dissatisfied with the current political and economic climate.
In contrast, Athi River town in neighbouring Machakos County remained calm, with businesses open and no visible demonstrations.
Authorities are closely monitoring the situation in Kitengela as sporadic confrontations between police and protesters continue. It remains unclear how long the standoff will last, but the government has urged for calm and peaceful demonstrations while warning against destruction of property and obstruction of roads.
