Kathiani MP Robert Mbui has accused the government of using heavy-handed intimidation tactics to frustrate the planned Saba Saba protests, calling the move a blatant show of power and confusion within the Cabinet.
Speaking during an interview on Citizen TV on Monday, Mbui criticised the early morning roadblocks mounted by police on major routes into Nairobi, claiming the State is deploying law enforcement to assert dominance over citizens rather than protecting their constitutional rights.
“It’s a way of intimidating the general population. The police setting up roadblocks is a way of intimidating and trying to show that they have power,” said Mbui. “This regime keeps on shooting itself in the foot. Today’s plan is also surprising the Minister of Public Service says everyone should report to work, and then the Interior CS blocks the roads. Then you wonder what exactly is this regime up to?”
Motorists were left stranded as police barricaded key roads into the capital by 4 am, while thousands of Nairobians were forced to walk long distances to work. Public transport was also disrupted, with matatus rerouted or halted altogether. The government’s actions have drawn widespread criticism from the public and civil society, who view the move as a violation of citizens’ freedom of assembly and movement.
The tension comes as the country continues to grapple with the contentious Public Order (Amendment) Bill sponsored by Nairobi Woman Representative Esther Passaris. The Bill seeks to restrict the locations and logistics of protests, but it has sparked fierce backlash from rights groups and legal experts who argue it undermines constitutional freedoms.
Since mid-June, Kenyan youth have taken to the streets in unprecedented numbers, demanding better governance and condemning police brutality. The protests, largely peaceful, have also highlighted deep frustrations with the high cost of living and perceived government unaccountability.
As pressure mounts on the administration to respect the right to protest and engage in genuine dialogue, voices like that of MP Mbui amplify growing concerns that the State is choosing repression over reform.
