Saba Saba: Nairobi on lockdown

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.

 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.

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.

Police have advised the public to avoid the CBD and use alternative routes.

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.

The youths, who had attended the annual Summer Tides Festival in Diani, were stopped near Likoni.

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.

Read: Kisumu schools to stay closed on Monday over Saba Saba protest fears  

Meanwhile, traders at Nairobi’s Mukuru slums shut their business premises on Monday for fear of looting ahead of the planned protests.

In Industrial Area, typically a hive of activity on weekdays, factories remained closed with only security guards manning the main entrances.

Banks in both Industrial Area and the CBD also remained shut.

Commuters had a difficult time travelling in and out of the city due to a limited number of operating matatus.

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.

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.