Nairobi, Kenya — Kenyans woke up to major disruptions on Monday morning as heavily armed police officers blocked access to Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD), paralyzing transport and halting both public and private movement into the city centre.
Using police trucks, barricades, and improvised roadblocks, law enforcement officers cordoned off all major entry points to the CBD. Commuters across various estates were left stranded, with matatus, private cars, and even boda bodas being turned away or redirected by officers manning the roads. The usually bustling city center appeared deserted in parts, as business owners, office workers, and shoppers were unable to make their way into town.
This came despite a public announcement by Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku on Sunday evening, declaring that Monday was not a public holiday. In a strongly worded statement, Ruku warned that absenteeism from work would not be tolerated and that government employees who skipped duty would face disciplinary action.
“There is no gazetted holiday on July 7th. All civil servants are expected to report to work as usual. Failure to do so will result in appropriate action being taken,” Ruku emphasized.
The roadblocks are believed to be part of heightened security measures in anticipation of Saba Saba protests, traditionally held on July 7th to commemorate the historic 1990 demonstrations for multi-party democracy. In recent weeks, civil society groups, activists, and opposition leaders have called for fresh protests, citing growing public frustration over the high cost of living, heavy taxation under the Finance Act 2024, and what they describe as government repression of dissent.
Although no official protest permit was issued, there had been calls on social media urging Kenyans to gather for peaceful demonstrations in the CBD. Police declared the gatherings illegal and had vowed to prevent any form of assembly.
By midday, there were reports of sporadic confrontations between police and small groups of demonstrators in several parts of the city, including Gikomba, Ngara, and along Moi Avenue. Tear gas was fired in some areas to disperse crowds, and several people were reportedly arrested.
Business owners expressed frustration over the government’s handling of the situation, saying the lockdown not only disrupted daily operations but also created unnecessary panic.
“I came to open my shop only to find the road blocked and police everywhere. We were not told in advance. Now I can’t even reach my store,” said Miriam Mwangi, a boutique owner in downtown Nairobi.
As the day unfolded, many Kenyans took to social media to express anger and confusion, with hashtags like #SabaSaba2025 and #UnlockNairobi trending across platforms.
The government has yet to issue a statement explaining the deployment or road closures. Meanwhile, human rights groups are raising concerns about what they describe as excessive use of force and infringement on citizens’ freedom of movement and assembly.
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