NAIROBI, Kenya – Anti-riot police on Monday forcefully locked down Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD), turning away even pedestrians in a bid to forestall mass protests marking the annual Saba Saba Day.
By mid-morning, officers had blocked all access routes to the city centre, halting pedestrians, boda boda riders, and motorists alike.
The move followed an early morning operation that saw security forces erect roadblocks with metal spikes, razor wire, and concrete barriers from as early as 4am.
The lockdown was triggered after a group of protesters who had managed to access the city centre began chanting anti-government slogans, prompting officers to swiftly order all businesses still open to close and evacuate customers.
By noon, Nairobi’s once-busy streets had emptied out, with only police and security guards visible.
Protests Erupt in Nairobi’s Periphery
In the capital’s outskirts, running battles erupted in Kitengela, Kiserian, Kahawa West, Ngong, Kiambu Town, and other urban centres.
Youthful demonstrators lit bonfires, blocked roads with stones and branches, and chanted slogans denouncing police brutality and the high cost of living.
Police responded with tear gas and heavy deployment of General Service Unit (GSU) reinforcements.
By 12:30pm, authorities confirmed “pockets of unrest” and vowed to maintain order, with additional officers sent to volatile areas.
Deputy Inspector General of Administration Police Gilbert Masengeli personally patrolled parts of the city to assess the response.
Nation Braces for Tensions on Historic Day
The heavy security presence came amid fears of a repeat of last month’s violent Gen Z-led protests, which left dozens dead and hundreds injured in clashes with police.
The Interior Ministry had vowed to prevent a recurrence, especially on a date charged with historical and political significance.
Saba Saba, or “Seven Seven” in Swahili, commemorates the 1990 pro-democracy protests that catalyzed Kenya’s transition from single-party rule under President Daniel arap Moi to a multiparty democracy.
That day marked a turning point in the country’s political evolution after decades of repression.
This year’s anniversary is playing out against a backdrop of public discontent over economic hardship, police violence, and rising frustration with President William Ruto’s administration.
Civil society groups have accused the government of shrinking civic space and muzzling dissent.
Wider Impact Felt
Schools and colleges in major towns advised learners to stay home as a precaution.
In Karatina and Mwea, smaller protests were reported, though they remained largely peaceful.
Meanwhile, business owners in Nairobi’s CBD kept their premises shuttered after weekend warnings of potential unrest.
On Sunday, the government reiterated that July 7 was not a public holiday, instructing all public servants to report to work as usual.
But with the city centre effectively cordoned off and public transport stalled, many failed to make it to their places of work.
