In a show of heightened security, police mounted roadblocks on all major roads leading into the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD) on Sunday, July 7, ahead of planned Saba Saba demonstrations. The move effectively paralyzed vehicular access into the city centre, affecting both private motorists and public service vehicles.
Despite government assurances that July 7 would proceed as a normal working day, anti-riot officers were deployed from the early hours, braving the morning chill to conduct thorough vehicle checks. Roadblocks were strategically placed along Waiyaki Way, Kenyatta Avenue, Mombasa Road, Jogoo Road, Thika Road, Uhuru Highway, Kiambu Road, Valley Road, and several feeder roads.
Only government vehicles and those attending to emergency matters were allowed passage. Pedestrians were permitted to proceed on foot, leading to scenes of residents trekking long distances to reach workplaces. An employee at a city hotel reported walking from Westlands to the CBD due to the lockdown.
Security sources indicated that the tight measures were aimed at preventing any surprise demonstrations or infiltration by protestors who might disguise themselves as city workers or commuters.
Saba Saba Day, traditionally marked by human rights groups and pro-democracy activists to honour the struggle for multi-party democracy in Kenya, had sparked fears of unrest. Recent protests over police brutality and extrajudicial killings have added to the tension, prompting preemptive measures.
Many learning institutions in Nairobi and other major towns advised students to stay home and resume classes on Tuesday, July 9, citing safety concerns. Businesses within the city centre also took precautions. Over the weekend, several shops and malls barricaded their entrances with metal grills in anticipation of possible looting.
A police officer stationed along Mombasa Road confirmed they were acting on firm instructions not to allow vehicle entry into the CBD. “We’ve been told to be on high alert and allow only essential services,” he said.
The government’s stringent approach reflects a growing pattern of securitization around national protest days. However, human rights defenders have warned that excessive clampdowns may stifle constitutionally protected freedoms of assembly and expression.
