Kenya Marks 35th Saba Saba Under Heavy Police Lockdown

Kenya marked the 35th Saba Saba Day on Monday under a heavy and unprecedented police lockdown that brought Nairobi to a standstill.

As early as 5 a.m., police officers sealed off major roads leading into the city centre, establishing barricades and checkpoints that disrupted public transport and forced thousands of commuters to walk long distances to access downtown Nairobi.

The security crackdown created scenes of confusion and frustration across the city, with long-distance buses and private vehicles being turned away at strategic roadblocks.

At Roysambu Roundabout on Thika Road, police completely shut access, leaving passengers stranded. Many were forced to abandon their journeys and proceed on foot. A similar situation occurred at the Allsops junction, where traffic was restricted, resulting in long queues and delays.

Motorists on Waiyaki Way in Kangemi faced massive disruptions, as officers mounted heavy barricades, effectively cordoning off the road.

At Kahawa Wendani near Kahawa Garrison, motorists were seen being turned back by heavily armed officers manning a roadblock. The atmosphere was tense as security personnel remained on high alert.

The extensive security deployment was in anticipation of widespread protests planned to commemorate the historic July 7, 1990, demonstrations that ushered in multi-party democracy in Kenya.

This year’s Saba Saba Day took on added significance amid ongoing nationwide anti-government protests over youth unemployment, police brutality, corruption, and the cost of living.

Despite the clampdown, organisers of the protests insisted they would proceed with peaceful demonstrations to honour the day’s democratic roots.

Meanwhile, civil society groups and opposition leaders criticized the government’s handling of the day, accusing it of suppressing freedoms of assembly and expression.

As the day unfolded, the full impact of the lockdown on movement, business, and public sentiment remained to be seen, with many Kenyans questioning the state’s commitment to the democratic ideals that Saba Saba represents.

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Kenya Marks 35th Saba Saba Under Heavy Police Lockdown