Central Nairobi Locked Down Ahead of Planned Anti-Government Protests

Security forces in Kenya sealed off central Nairobi on Monday in anticipation of large-scale anti-government protests, causing widespread disruption and bringing much of the capital to a standstill.

All major roads leading into the city centre were blocked, and streets around key government buildings, including the State House and parliament, were barricaded with razor wire. Businesses remained shuttered, and schools advised students to stay home, as a heavy police presence patrolled the area.

Hundreds of commuters and overnight travellers were left stranded at checkpoints—some more than 10km from the city centre—with only a few vehicles allowed through. Long-distance buses were halted as far away as Kabete, about 13km from downtown Nairobi, leaving passengers unable to reach their destinations without paying for costly motorbike rides. “We started travelling at 8:30pm last night… We want the government to engage in a dialogue with Gen Zs so all this can come to an end,” said bus driver Humphrey Gumbishi.

The demonstrations, dubbed Saba Saba (Swahili for “7 July”), commemorate the 1990s struggle for multiparty democracy in Kenya. But this year, they have taken on new meaning, driven by young Kenyans—mostly from Generation Z—who are demanding good governance, an end to police brutality, and accountability from their leaders.

The protests are the latest in a series of nationwide demonstrations that escalated last month. On June 25, at least 19 people were killed and thousands of businesses looted and destroyed in violence that erupted during protests honouring victims of previous anti-tax marches.

Authorities say the crackdown is aimed at maintaining public order. In a statement issued Sunday evening, police said it was their constitutional responsibility to protect lives and property.

However, civil society groups accuse security forces of colluding with violent groups to suppress the protests. These “goons,” allegedly working in tandem with police, have been accused of attacking demonstrators and looting. Police have strongly denied the allegations.

On Sunday, an armed gang attacked the Nairobi offices of the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), which had been hosting a press conference by women advocating against state violence ahead of Monday’s protests. KHRC spokesman Ernest Cornel told the BBC that at least 25 attackers on motorbikes stormed the venue, chanting threats and looting property. “They were carrying stones, they were carrying clubs… they stole laptops, a phone, and valuables from journalists who were there,” he said.

The Saba Saba protests mark their 35th anniversary this year, recalling the 1990 demonstration that sparked Kenya’s shift to multiparty democracy. That protest was violently suppressed by the regime of then-President Daniel arap Moi, with at least 20 people reportedly killed and many others arrested. The anniversary has since become a symbol of resistance and the struggle for democratic freedoms.

On Monday morning, tension flared in parts of Nairobi as police clashed with groups attempting to breach the security cordon. Tear gas was fired in areas like Thika Road and Kitengela, on the outskirts of the capital. In Kamukunji—near the original site of the 1990 protest—protesters lit fires and battled police.

While the capital saw the most significant disruptions, other regions remained relatively calm, with only scattered clashes reported in a few towns. As the day unfolded, the situation remained tense, with Kenyans bracing for what could be a prolonged period of civil unrest unless meaningful dialogue between the government and its citizens begins.