Saba Saba: DIG Gilbert Masengeli’s contradictions
Deputy Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli was on Monday spotted patrolling Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD) and stopping at one of the roadblocks restricting access to the city.
In a brief interview with NTV, Mr Masengeli claimed that Kenyans were not being prevented from entering the CBD—a statement that contradicted the actual situation on the ground.
“Everybody is getting to the CBD, everybody is going to work as normal. No worries,” Mr Masengeli said.
His remarks came amid a heavy deployment of anti-riot police officers on major roads leading into the city centre.
Police mount a road block at the Junction Mal on Ngong Road, Nairobi early morning on July 7, 2025. No vehicle, .motorcycle or pedestrian from Ngong Road are allowed to access the road to town; only vehicles coming from town were allowed access.
The DIG claimed the heightened police presence was purely for maintaining security as Kenyans went about their daily duties.
“You will not be turned away. Ours is just to urge everybody to keep peace and operate within the rule of law,” he added.
Among the major roads that were blocked was Ngong Road cutting off access for Kenyans trying to reach the CBD.
All vehicles and motorcycles coming from Ngong, Karen, Kawangware and Kabiria were being diverted at Junction Mall.
Buses from upcountry parked outside Kabete Police Station after police officers barricaded Waiyaki Way on july 7, 2025.
Heavy police deployment was also noted near the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) headquarters, where only journalists, ambulances, and civil servants were being allowed through the roadblock.
Waiyaki Way was among the most affected roads with long-distance public service vehicles stopped at a roadblock in Kangemi. Some long-distance buses and matatus headed for the CBD were redirected to Kabete Police Station.
By Monday morning, shops along Kimathi Street, Tom Mboya Street, Kenyatta Avenue, Moi Avenue and Ronald Ngala Road remained closed.
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.
Several businesses in the CBD had reinforced their entrances with extra grilles to protect their stock in case of looting. The day before, some traders were seen clearing their shops and moving goods to their homes to avoid losses.
Nairobi MCAs also called for calm ahead of the protests.
“While we acknowledge and more often than not have been at the forefront of both campaigns and protests, it is clear to all Kenyans that these demonstrations have lost their way. What started as clear expression of governance challenges has been hijacked by criminals and those with hidden political agendas,” the legislators said in a statement.
They said that as the elected leaders, they were chosen to bring development closer to every community, the development which they said are under threat if the recent trend of destruction of public and private property continues.
“We are leaders for progress, not protests. We cannot all as a country stand helplessly and watch this unfolding mad bravado. We will start naming and shaming all the actors mobilising for violence, destruction and chaos starting this week.”