A heavy police presence has taken over major roads and towns leading to Nairobi’s central business district this morning, as calm and quiet streets define the city ahead of the planned Gen Z-led Saba Saba protests.
From Thika Road’s Ruiru-Kamakis Bypass to Kangemi along Waiyaki Way, hundreds of anti-riot police officers have been deployed, blocking all entry routes to the CBD. Even individuals with valid work identification and official letters have reportedly been turned away at checkpoints.
In the CBD, most shops remain closed, public transport is minimal, and streets that are usually busy by sunrise lie empty. The atmosphere is tense but peaceful, with officers manning intersections and entry points in full anti-riot gear.
In Kangemi, a visible line of police trucks and officers has been stationed to deter any gathering or march. Similar scenes are reported along Juja Road, Mombasa Road, and Lang’ata Road.
Despite the silence, the mood is charged with anticipation. Gen Z protests had earlier vowed to hold peaceful protests to mark Saba Saba, a historic date in Kenya’s struggle for multiparty democracy. Authorities have, however, maintained a tight grip on movement, signalling zero tolerance for mass gatherings.
By Nairobi