Nairobi on Edge as Kenya Tightens Security Ahead of Saba Saba Protests
Nairobi was gripped by heightened tension on Monday as security agencies sealed off major entry routes into the capital ahead of planned Saba Saba demonstrations. The annual July 7 event, long associated with calls for democratic reform, drew an intense government response, leaving large stretches of the city nearly deserted. Businesses remained closed, schools advised pupils to stay home, and travellers found themselves stranded at roadblocks erected more than 10 kilometres from the central business district as police sought to restrict movement into the city.
The lockdown comes as Kenya marks 35 years since the 1990 Saba Saba protests, a watershed moment in the struggle for multiparty democracy under the Moi regime. Those protests, which were violently suppressed, have since become a symbol of civic defiance and the right to stand against injustice. This year, youth groups and civil society organisations have taken the lead in mobilising demonstrations, framing them as a continuation of the fight for accountability, better governance, and justice for victims of police brutality. Their call to action follows months of public anger over the cost of living and the state’s handling of previous demonstrations, including last year’s tax protests.
Tensions escalated further following a deadly episode on June 25, when at least 19 people were killed and businesses across the country suffered massive losses during nationwide protests held in honour of victims from previous unrest. Human rights groups have accused police of allowing or colluding with criminal gangs who infiltrate crowds to loot and instigate violence—claims that authorities have dismissed. The atmosphere grew even more volatile on Sunday after armed individuals stormed the offices of the Kenya Human Rights Commission, disrupting a press conference by women activists decrying state-linked violence.
As Kenya reflects on the legacy of Saba Saba, the country faces familiar questions about the balance between security and civil liberties. With protesters vowing to continue their push for reforms and the state maintaining a hardline stance, analysts warn that the coming days could shape not only the immediate political climate but also the future of civic engagement in the country. Many are now watching closely to see whether dialogue, reform, or further confrontation will define the next chapter of Kenya’s democratic journey.