Wamuzi News Ke
In a sweeping and unexpected move, the National Police Service has sealed all main arteries leading into Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD), igniting widespread panic, anger, and urgent pleas for calm as the nation observes Saba Saba Day.
This morning, motorists and commuters endured unprecedented roadblocks on Uhuru Highway, State House Road, Dennis Pritt Road, and Processional Way—routes that link the city centre with its coronary suburbs. The closures left hundreds of matatus and private vehicles gridlocked, while hundreds of youths returning from events in Diani found their journey abruptly halted en route to Nairobi.
By dawn, witnesses reported scores of youths from the coast stranded at Dongo Kundu, intercepted by police before boarding the SGR and accused of planning to join the protests. Social media videos and on-ground reports show matatus turning around near Uhuru Highway and drivers searching for alternate routes far off their usual paths .
In a stern statement issued overnight, Inspector General Douglas Kanja reminded citizens that interference with law enforcement officers is a “serious criminal offense” and warned that attempting to enter restricted or “protected” zones would prompt decisive action. Further caution was issued around armed presence: weapons, vandalism, and road obstruction would not be tolerated under any circumstances.
Chaos and Crippling Gridlock
Commuters described the situation as “chaotic,” with many caught unaware. Schools and businesses in and around the CBD preemptively closed—or advised parents to keep children at home—citing security concerns and transport paralysis . Traders reinforced shutters and stocked emergency iron bars overnight, recalling losses from recent protests, while taxi drivers protested being unable to access drop-off points.
During a live broadcast, a Matatu operator lamented: “Police have blocked our only access. We are stranded, and people are angry… we were not informed.”
Authorities Brace for Unrest
The heavy mobilization appears explicitly aimed at containing today’s anticipated anti-government rallies. Civil society groups and opposition leaders have called for peaceful protests to demand justice, accountability for police violence, and a lower cost of living.
But tensions are already boiling: the Kenya Human Rights Commission reported an armed gang brazenly disrupting its offices yesterday—an act seen as intimidation ahead of the demonstrations. Church leaders have urged restraint from security forces, warning of a repeat of past violent crackdowns .
Commentators are demanding clarity: Why shut off an entire city from its citizens on a declared protest day? Critics say authorities risk exacerbating unrest by isolating Nairobi and creating a city under siege.
High Stakes, High Tension
This evolving blockade has thrust Nairobi into a flash point:
- Citizens face illegal roadblocks: Commuters are trapped en route without alternatives.
- Suppressed mobility: Thousands of informal workers, students, and traders are unable to report to work or school.
- Legal and human rights alarm: Advocates question whether this heavy-handed policing infringes constitutional freedoms to movement and assembly.
- Security vs peace: Authorities argue the clampdown prevents violence; critics warn it fuels anger and distrust.
What Comes Next?
- Will protests erupt within the CBD despite tight security?
- Can the police balance maintaining order with preserving democratic freedoms?
- Will public outrage over blocked roads and silenced voices pressure the government to reverse course?
This is a live and developing situation. Stay tuned for immediate on-ground reports, statements from civil society, parliamentary reactions, and whether Saba Saba Day will spiral into unrest—or be remembered for state-enforced calm.
