In a decisive move, Kenyan security forces have restricted access to central Nairobi ahead of anticipated nationwide protests. Major thoroughfares leading into the city have been sealed off, resulting in a significant reduction in activity. Businesses are closed, and a noticeable security presence dominates the streets, creating an unusually quiet atmosphere.
Many schools have issued advisories urging students to remain at home as a precaution. Commuters and travelers arriving early in the day have found themselves stranded at various checkpoints, some more than 10 kilometers from the city center, with only a limited number of vehicles permitted to pass through.
Heightened security measures
Within the city, key access routes to important government buildings, including the president’s official residence at State House and the Kenyan parliament, are heavily barricaded with razor wire. In a statement released Sunday evening, police officials underscored their commitment to safeguarding lives and property, emphasizing their constitutional responsibility to maintain public order.
The protests scheduled for Monday, referred to as Saba Saba (which translates to 7 July in Swahili), commemorate the historical struggle for multiparty democracy in Kenya that began in the 1990s. These demonstrations are mainly spearheaded by the youth, who are advocating for improved governance, increased accountability, and justice for those affected by police violence. This movement represents a continuation of a wave of anti-government protests that started last year.
Legacy of Saba Saba and recent violence
On June 25, a day of protests honoring victims of last year’s anti-tax demonstrations resulted in tragic violence, with reports confirming at least 19 fatalities and widespread looting of businesses. Recent protests have escalated into unrest, with allegations of “goons” infiltrating the demonstrations, leading to reports of looting and assaults on peaceful protesters. Civil society organizations have voiced concerns about possible collusion between these groups and the police, a claim that law enforcement has vehemently denied.
Adding to the tension, an armed group attacked the headquarters of a human rights NGO in Nairobi on Sunday. The Kenya Human Rights Commission was hosting a press conference led by women advocating for the cessation of state violence in anticipation of the upcoming protests.
This year marks the 35th anniversary of the original Saba Saba protests, a pivotal event that contributed to the transition from one-party rule to multiparty democracy in Kenya. The government’s response at that time, under President Daniel arap Moi, was marked by harsh repression, with numerous arrests and reports of at least 20 fatalities among protesters.
Saba Saba has since become a powerful symbol of civic resistance and the ongoing struggle for democratic freedoms in Kenya.