Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD) was virtually sealed off on Monday morning as police moved to shut down major roads ahead of the highly anticipated Saba Saba protests.
By 6 a.m., sections of Thika Road were already barricaded, leaving hundreds of commuters and businesspeople stranded. The closure caused major delays for those heading into town or transiting through the city centre from Nairobi’s eastern and northern suburbs.
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At Kangemi, police officers blocked Waiyaki Way, a key artery into the CBD from the west. No vehicles were allowed past the roadblock, sparking confusion and long traffic jams stretching into the early hours of the morning.
“These roadblocks are frustrating. I’ve been stuck here for over an hour with no clear explanation,” said David Otieno, a matatu driver stranded at Allsops along Thika Road. “They should at least allow essential service vehicles through.”
The dual shutdown of Thika Road and Waiyaki Way left large parts of Nairobi inaccessible, effectively disrupting the morning routine for workers, traders, students, and delivery operators. Many were forced to abandon their trips or walk long distances to get closer to the city centre.
The clampdown comes as civil rights groups and opposition activists call for mass demonstrations under the Saba Saba banner. Named after July 7th, the day marks the historic 1990 protests that pushed for multi-party democracy in Kenya. This year’s movement demands action on corruption, poor governance, and the rising cost of living.
Security agencies appear determined to prevent mass gatherings in the capital, deploying officers at strategic points and erecting roadblocks before dawn. Additional patrols were seen along feeder roads and pedestrian paths leading into town.
By mid-morning, operations remained partially paralyzed across parts of Nairobi. Public service vehicles were rerouted, businesses reported slow activity, and social media was flooded with images of heavy police presence and deserted streets.
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Authorities had yet to issue an official statement on the road closures at the time of publishing, but Kenyans were being urged to exercise caution and avoid non-essential travel to the city centre as tensions continued to rise.
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