Nairobi has come to a standstill this morning. Barricades block key routes into the Central Business District. Trains are cancelled. The city is braced for Saba Saba protests, leaving many stranded and uncertain.
Heavy Presence, Tense Morning
From 6 am, police blocked Thika Road, Mombasa Road, Ngong Road, Kiambu Road and more. Thika Road at Pangani, Mombasa Road by Nyayo Stadium, Kiambu near DCI, along with Syokimau on Ngong Road, were all shut down. Commuters report being turned away just after 5 am unable to reach workplaces or schools. A key midnight train from Mombasa to Nairobi was cancelled, blamed on “technical faults”
Why Saba Saba Matters
Saba Saba, Swahili for “seven seven” marks protests on 7 July 1990 that forced Kenya towards multiparty democracy. This year, activists call for justice over police brutality and extrajudicial killings from recent demonstrations.
Warnings and Rally Calls
The National Police Service (NPS) warned that protests must remain peaceful and unarmed. Those carrying weapons, they say, will face prosecution. Still, groups including the National Alternative Alliance and opposition voices plan rallies, citing failures in policing and urgent governance reforms.
Voices on the Ground
A Nairobi commuter said, “We were turned away before sunrise. No warnings, just officers blocking the road.”
One activist added, “This year’s Saba Saba is about more than history, it’s about ending brutality.”
A Turning Point or Escalation?
Civil society groups point to heightened risk, recalling the unrest of June’s Finance Bill opposition that saw live rounds used and dozens hurt. They warn the government against repeating past mistakes, urging dialogue rather than repression.
Balanced Outlook
The government frames its actions as precautionary, a refusal to halt work or business. The NPS emphasizes protests must be legal, peaceful and weapon-free. But activists see this as a crackdown, limiting rights to assembly. The challenge now is whether Kenya can balance security and freedom.
What Happens Next
All eyes are on today’s gatherings in Nairobi, especially at Kamukunji Grounds, where former prime minister Raila Odinga plans a rally.
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