Police on Monday morning mounted roadblocks on major routes into Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD) and conducted intensive searches ahead of the planned Saba Saba demonstrations.
Closures were reported on Thika Road at Roysambu, Allsops and Guru Nanak while on Wayaki Way there was a blockade at Kangemi flyover.
Buses from upcountry parked outside Kabete Police Station after police officers barricaded Waiyaki Way on july 7, 2025.
Photo credit: Bonface Bogita | Nation Media Group
Mombasa Road was closed on GM Motors, Ngong Road at the City Mortuary roundabout, Valley Road near the Department of Defence and the Integrity Centre, Juja Road at the Pangani interchange and Lang’ata Road near T-Mall.
Security personnel blocked access for both private and public service vehicles citing fears that protesters might disguise themselves to gain entry and stage demonstrations.
Parliament Road and City Hall way blocked by police on July 7,2025 ahead of planned Saba Saba protests.
Photo credit: Billy Ogada | Nation Media Group
By Monday morning, razor wire, barricades and a heavy police presence had encircled Nairobi’s Parliament. Security was also tightened at key intersections.
Significant police deployments were observed at the roundabouts connecting Uhuru Highway with Kenyatta Avenue, Haile Selassie Avenue, Moi Avenue and in the vicinity of Parliament Road and Harambee Avenue.
The gridlock paralysed key routes into and out of the city leaving many residents unable to reach their workplaces.
The police action follows Gen Z’s announcement to take to the streets for the Saba Saba Day protests despite government calls for restraint.
The heightened security comes after an incident on Sunday evening when police blocked hundreds of young people heading to Nairobi at the Dongo Kundu bypass in Mombasa.
Police officers barricade Waiyaki Way in Westlands, on July 7,2025.
Photo credit: Bonface Bogita | Nation Media Group
Meanwhile, several learning institutions in towns across the country advised students to stay home and resume classes on Tuesday, amid fears of disruptions similar to those witnessed during previous protests over police brutality and extrajudicial killings.
Meanwhile, traders at Nairobi’s Mukuru slums shut their business premises on Monday for fear of looting ahead of the planned protests.
Police block Haile Selassie/Uhuru Highway roundabout to prevent demonstrators from accessing the Central Business District ahead of planned Saba Saba protests on July 7, 2025.
Photo credit: Dennis Onsongo | Nation Media Group
In Industrial Area, typically a hive of activity on weekdays, factories remained closed with only security guards manning the main entrances.
Commuters had a difficult time travelling in and out of the city due to a limited number of operating matatus.
Police patrol Nairobi streets ahead of the planned Saba Saba protests on July 7, 2025.
Photo credit: Billy Ogada | Nation Media Group
Public service vehicles were stopped at a police roadblock along Homa Bay Road off Enterprise Road, manned by five police officers.
At Bunyala Road, Nyayo Roundabout and City Stadium, no matatus were allowed to proceed into town.
On Factory Lane, leading to the Kenya Railways flyover, police officers maintained tight security. Only government officials, members of the press and medical service providers were allowed access.
At the Kenya Railways Police Station, another roadblock was in place and every pedestrian was required to justify their need to access the area.
Police block Haile Selassie/Uhuru Highway roundabout to prevent demonstrators from accessing the Central Business District ahead of planned Saba Saba protests on July 7, 2025.
Photo credit: Dennis Onsongo | Nation Media Group
Near the Central Bank entrance, a police truck with anti-riot officers stood on standby.
At Police Headquarters, at least 10 officers were stationed at the entrance.
At the usually busy KenCom bus stop, no buses were in sight. Around 10 persons living with disabilities were seen sitting or lying on gunny bags.
At approximately 9.30 am, a group of youths attempting to sneak into town from Nairobi River via Accra Road were spotted by alert police officers, who swiftly responded by lobbing teargas canisters to disperse them.
