Saba Saba protests are underway across Kenya, with reports of shop closures in Nairobi CBD and traffic disruptions along Thika Road.
Follow our live coverage for the latest developments, road closures, security updates, and events as they happen.
3:00 PM: Police confronted Nation Media Group (NMG) journalists who were filming a barricade at Allsops, forcing them to delete their footage before releasing them. The incident raised fresh concerns over press freedom and the safety of journalists covering events on the ground.
12:25 PM: Security officers in Mombasa are escorting demonstrators during Saba Saba Day commemorations as protesters march peacefully through parts of the city under heightened security. Demonstrators are carrying placards as they march through the city, with police providing security along the route. The procession remains orderly as participants mark the annual Saba Saba commemoration.
12:00 PM: Several protesters have been arrested in Nairobi CBD by plainclothes police officers from the Kenya National Police Service (NPS). The arrests took place along Harambee Avenue/Treasury Way, near the National Treasury building.
11:00 AM: Naivasha appears largely unaffected by the Saba Saba protests, with businesses, public transport and other daily activities continuing normally despite calls for demonstrations and a public shutdown. Most traders have opened their businesses as usual, while public service vehicles continue operating within the town and along major routes. Reports from the ground indicate that residents have largely continued their daily routines. Although security patrols have been intensified in parts of the town, no major disruptions have been reported.
9:25 AM: Parliament Buildings are under heavy guard, with anti-riot police deployed around the precincts to prevent Saba Saba protesters from accessing the area.
8: 43 AM: A second police roadblock has been mounted along Waiyaki Way at Kangemi, further tightening access into Nairobi as security agencies step up operations ahead of the Saba Saba protests.
8:25 AM: Known roadblocks and checkpoints reported so far include:
• Thika Road – Roadblocks mounted at Blue Post, Githurai and Allsops. Nairobi-bound traffic from Ruiru is being diverted through the Kimbo service lane.
• Mombasa Road – Roadblock in place near Cabanas, with security checkpoints actively screening vehicles heading towards the city.
• Juja Road – Access blocked by police.
• Lang’ata Road – Heightened security operations and checkpoints reported.
• Kiambu Road – Security roadblocks mounted, with access restricted in some sections.
• Ngong Road – Police checkpoints reported along the route.
• Waiyaki Way – Security operations intensified, with motorists facing screening and diversions at various points.
• Jogoo Road – Heavy police presence reported amid transport disruptions and restrictions on movement into the CBD.
8:17 AM: Some schools in Nairobi and Kiambu counties have begun turning away students and pupils as uncertainty and transport disruptions from the Saba Saba protests continue to disrupt movement.
8: oo AM: Heavy traffic has built up at Allsops Junction along Thika Superhighway after police established a roadblock to inspect vehicles heading towards Nairobi. The inspections have slowed movement on the busy highway, causing significant delays for motorists and public service vehicles.
7: 59AM: Access to Nairobi CBD through Waiyaki Way has been cut off completely after police mounted a roadblock at Uthiru 87. Officers are redirecting vehicles away from the city center as security operations intensify.
7:41 AM: Security firm Securex Agencies reported widespread police roadblocks and checkpoints across Nairobi ahead of the Saba Saba protests, with heavy deployments along Thika Road, Jogoo Road, Mombasa Road, Kiambu Road, Ngong Road and Waiyaki Way. The firm said police had warned that demonstrations held without the required notification would be treated as illegal. Securex also reported normal business activity in Mombasa early Tuesday morning despite heightened security measures in other parts of the country.
7: 26 AM: Thika Superhighway is experiencing unusually light traffic as many commuters stay off the roads amid expectations of Saba Saba demonstrations. Traffic flow along sections of the highway remains significantly lower than on a typical weekday morning.
7:24 AM: Kiambu Road has been completely closed, further disrupting movement into Nairobi as security operations intensify. Motorists have been turned back, with traffic building up on feeder roads as commuters seek alternative routes into the city.
7: 05 AM: Public service vehicles from the Jogoo Road corridor are no longer being allowed into Nairobi CBD, with matatus terminating at City Stadium. Hundreds of commuters have been left stranded or forced to walk into town. A huge crowd has gathered around the Jua Kali area as police continue dispersing groups along Jogoo Road amid heightened security operations linked to the Saba Saba protests.
6:50 AM: Police have started firing tear gas along Jogoo Road and chasing people as security agencies move to disperse gatherings ahead of the planned Saba Saba demonstrations. Videos and eyewitness accounts shared on social media show running battles between police and members of the public in parts of the area.
6:45 AM: Traffic is building up on sections of Waiyaki Way and Thika Road as commuters encounter police roadblocks and security checks. Public transport operators and private motorists are experiencing slower movement on roads leading into the capital.
6:42 AM: Traffic disruptions reported on Thika Road as police mount a roadblock at the Kenyatta Road–Thika Road junction. Motorists approaching the area are being subjected to security checks, with possible delays expected during the morning commute amid Saba Saba Day operations.
NPS Warning on Saba Saba Day Celebrations
The heightened security measures seen across Nairobi on Saba Saba Day followed a notice issued by the National Police Service on Monday, July 6, announcing enhanced checkpoints on roads within the city.
The police said past experiences informed the measures during Saba Saba commemorations, which they said had in some instances led to breaches of peace and disruption of normal business activities.
The NPS stated that the checkpoints would be used to control both human and vehicular movement and urged members of the public to cooperate with officers to ensure law and order.
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