The National Police Service (NPS) has heightened security across Nairobi by mounting checkpoints on major roads leading into the city centre as Kenyans mark the annual Saba Saba commemoration.
The enhanced security measures, which include screening of motorists, motorcyclists and pedestrians, are aimed at maintaining law and order and preventing criminal elements from taking advantage of the planned demonstrations, police said.
Roads leading to the Central Business District, Parliament Buildings and State House were among the most affected, with dozens of security checkpoints set up from the early hours of Tuesday.
Additional police officers were also deployed on patrol in Nairobi and other major towns, including Kitengela, Mlolongo, Rongai, Githurai and along Waiyaki Way.
Some road users, however, complained of delays, harassment and inconvenience as police carried out security checks on vehicles and individuals entering the city.
In a statement issued on Monday, Police Spokesperson Michael Muchiri said the measures were informed by previous Saba Saba commemorations, during which some demonstrations turned violent, resulting in destruction of property and disruption of business activities.
“The National Police Service wishes to inform all members of the public that, in light of past experience during the Saba Saba commemoration, some members of the public have caused breaches of the peace, thereby interfering with the normal conduct of business for those not participating in the demonstrations,” Muchiri said.
He said the security checkpoints are intended to regulate both pedestrian and vehicular movement while enhancing public safety throughout the day.
The police urged members of the public to cooperate with officers and comply with security directives, warning that anyone found engaging in unlawful acts would face legal action.
Nairobi Regional Police Commander Issa Mohamud maintained that Tuesday remains a normal working day despite the heightened security deployment.
Speaking after a meeting with senior police commanders on Monday, Mohamud said no group had formally notified the police of any planned demonstrations in Nairobi, adding that any public gathering held without the required notification would be considered unlawful.
“Today is a normal working day, and public transport will not be affected, although there will be screening of vehicles entering the city. Of course we must do screening,” he said.
He assured Nairobi residents that security agencies were fully prepared to maintain order.
“There will be no problem at all. The day will be a normal working day,” Mohamud added.
However, the Grassroots Economic Justice Movement, a Nairobi-based lobby group, said it had formally notified the Inspector General of Police, the Nairobi Regional Police Commander and the Officer Commanding Central Police Station of its intention to stage peaceful demonstrations.
According to the organisation, between 1,000 and 3,000 protesters are expected to march from Jeevanjee Gardens to Parliament Buildings to present a petition calling for parliamentary action on alleged extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances and the excessive use of force by security agencies.
The group said the procession would remain peaceful and that volunteer marshals would be deployed to help manage participants and ensure order during the march.
Saba Saba, commemorated annually on July 7, marks the historic pro-democracy movement that called for the reintroduction of multiparty democracy in Kenya and has over the years become a platform for citizens to express concerns over governance, human rights and economic issues.