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South Rift marks peaceful Saba Saba as residents shun protests
Businesses operate as usual at Masaai Market in Nakuru City on July 7, 2026, as Kenya marks Saba Saba Day.
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Nakuru City remained calm throughout the Saba Saba commemoration on Monday, with businesses operating normally as traders opened their shops and residents went about their day.
Major supermarkets, banks, pharmacies and eateries along Kenyatta Avenue remained open throughout the day as clients streamed in and out.
Security was heightened across the city, with anti-riot police patrolling major streets to maintain law and order. Officers were also deployed at strategic locations, including government offices, roundabouts and entry points into the city.
A heavy police presence was witnessed in Free Area, a hotspot that has previously experienced protests where youths have blocked the Nakuru–Nairobi highway, disrupting traffic.
Businesses continued as normal in Nyahururu town in Laikipia County and Ol Kalou, with locals ignoring a call to join in the Saba Saba protests.
Police on standby at Free Area along the Nakuru–Nairobi Highway on July 7, 2026. As Kenyans marked the annual Saba Saba commemoration, traffic along the Northern Corridor and activities across Nakuru remained largely uninterrupted.
The two towns have suffered massive destruction of property and life during the previous protests starting in 2024, when Genz protestors moved to streets against the finance bill.
The biggest casualty in last year demos was the Nyandarua County government where property worth more than Sh1.5 billion including vehicles and offices were reduced to ashes.
"We have learnt that the protests attract goons who cause massive destruction to property. As traders, we felt that we need to abandon the protests but address our challenges at the ballot next year," said a trader Reuben Kuria.
In Kericho, Bomet and Narok counties, business was usual as the country marked the annual Saba Saba commemoration.
Business premises opened for normal business in the morning with customers undertaking their transactions without a hitch in the three counties.
Business as usual in Bomet town on Saba Saba day.
Public Service Vehicles (PSVs) were operating as usual, so to heavy trucks plying the Nairobi-Narok-Bomet-Kisii, Kaplong-Litein-Kericho-Nakuru, the Nakuru-Londiani-Muhoroni and Nakuru-Londiani -Kericho highways.
“Traders opened their business enterprises as usual and there is no indication whatsoever that there would be any change in the course of the day. As is the tradition in the South Rift, we do not participate in the Saba Saba protests” Mr Leonard Langat, the Bomet branch chairman of the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI).
A spotcheck in the morning showed that there was no anti-riot police presence in the highways and the streets in the three counties.
Reporting by Mercy Koskei, Waikwa Maina and Vitalis Kimutai
