A tense calm hangs over Kenya’s capital as police ramp up security ahead of the highly anticipated Saba Saba demonstrations scheduled for Monday, July 7, 2025. Authorities have sealed off Parliament Road with coils of razor wire and erected barricades, signaling a hardline state response to the planned protests led primarily by the country’s youth.
From as early as 6:30 am, police closed several key entry points to the city centre. Thika Road was blocked at Roysambu and Guru Nanak, while Wayaki Way was closed at Kangemi Flyover. Other roadblocks were erected along Mombasa Road at GM Motors, Ngong Road at City Mortuary Roundabout, and Juja Road at the Pangani Interchange. Access to the city was further restricted along Valley Road, Lang’ata Road, and major intersections like Uhuru Highway and Haile Selassie Avenue.
Parliament and surrounding government buildings, including City Hall and State House, were placed under heavy guard. Razor wire typically used in military zones and prisons now snakes through the heart of Nairobi, drawing sharp criticism from some quarters. While officials defend it as a necessary security measure, many Kenyans see it as a physical manifestation of the widening gap between the state and its people.
The razor wire has become more than just a barrier it’s a symbol. For some, it evokes fear and repression. For others, it reflects a government unwilling to listen to the frustrations of its citizens, particularly the youth demanding economic reforms, transparency, and accountability.
Police patrols were also reported in downtown Nairobi, with officers deployed along Ronald Ngala Street, Moi Avenue, and River Road. Despite the heavy security presence, crowds in the city remained sparse early Monday, though authorities are bracing for larger gatherings later in the day.
The public has been urged to avoid the Central Business District and use alternative routes.
As tensions simmer, the razor wire stands not just as a deterrent but as a stark reminder of the fragile relationship between the state and a restless generation demanding change.
