Major roads leading into Nairobi’s central business district were blocked Monday morning as security forces mounted heavy police presence ahead of planned Saba Saba protests.
Motorists and commuters were caught in massive snarl-ups as multiple roadblocks were set up at key entry points, effectively sealing off access to the city.
Eyewitnesses reported armed officers stopping vehicles, conducting searches, turning back motorists and disembarking passengers—particularly from public service vehicles.
Among the major roads affected were:
- Thika Road: Blocked at Guru Nanak and Pangani; Roysambu roundabout completely shut; police stationed under the Roysambu footbridge.
- Ngong Road: Closed at Junction Mall and City Mortuary.
- Kiambu Road: Shut near the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
- Waiyaki Way: Blocked at Kangemi overpass and Gitaru Interchange.
- Mombasa Road & Uhuru Highway: Major disruptions at Bunyala, Madaraka, and Nyayo Stadium roundabouts.
- Kenyatta Avenue, Valley Road, Landhies Road: Heavily guarded and partially inaccessible.
- Other Hotspots: Arwings Kodhek near the Department of Defence (DoD), Kasarani exit, and Spring Valley Roundabout—where officers were seen frisking all matatu passengers.
- Ongata Rongai: Maasai Lodge road completely closed to traffic.
A police source said the roadblocks were part of a “security operation to deter planned illegal gatherings and maintain public order.”
The heightened security comes amid calls for nationwide demonstrations commemorating Saba Saba—a day historically associated with the pro-democracy struggle in Kenya.
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Human rights groups and activists have condemned the clampdown as excessive, warning that such actions infringe on the right to peaceful assembly and movement.
As of midday, access to Nairobi’s CBD remained severely restricted, with commuters forced to walk long distances or abandon travel plans altogether.
