Nairobi – Deputy Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli insists that “everything is normal in Nairobi,” even as police sealed off key roads and businesses closed doors across the city on Monday during the 35th anniversary of Saba Saba Day.
Masengeli addressed the press early Monday morning, stating that access into the Central Business District remained open despite widespread restrictions. “Everyone is getting to work without any issues. No one is being turned away,” he said. He urged protestors to remain peaceful and obey the law during demonstrations.
But by dawn, dozens of roadblocks had already been erected on major entry points to the city. Motorists both in personal vehicles and public transport faced long delays and searches. Heavily armed officers were stationed on Waiyaki Way, Mombasa Road, Jogoo Road, Thika Road, Uhuru Highway, and Kenyatta Avenue. Similar blockades were reported along Kiambu Road, Valley Road, and other key feeder routes.
The disruptions stranded thousands of commuters trying to access downtown Nairobi, leading to heavy traffic snarl-ups that stretched for miles.
A wide stretch of businesses in the CBD and surrounding areas remained closed out of concern for possible looting and unrest. A spot check confirmed that retail stores, supermarkets, and informal traders had shut down their operations. Some business owners cited fears tied to the memory of last year’s protests on June 25, when properties were damaged and goods stolen.
“After what happened in 2024, we’re not taking any chances,” said one business owner near Moi Avenue. “We closed early today. We’ll reopen when it’s calm.”
Security concerns extended beyond Nairobi. In Nyeri, Limuru, and Nakuru, traders also kept off town centers. Residents in those areas reported a visible police presence and fewer people on the streets.
In Mombasa, anti-riot police were deployed from the Central Police Station to locations considered vulnerable. Most businesses in the CBD remained closed, with authorities increasing security patrols in high-traffic areas.
Kisumu, however, remained largely calm. Shops opened as usual and public transport operated without interruption. But schools in both public and private sectors across the country shut their gates, turning away students for the day.
Saba Saba, observed annually on July 7, commemorates the 1990 movement for multi-party democracy in Kenya. This year’s observance also marks one year since the June 2024 protests, which saw mass property damage and dozens of arrests.
Police say the heightened security is a preventive measure to ensure peace. “We have deployed across all major towns to monitor the situation,” a senior officer said. “Anyone found breaching the law will be dealt with accordingly.”
Though authorities claim control, the tension on the ground reflects deep public unease. The streets may not be burning, but fear has clearly emptied them.
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